Manipur is turning into a poppy hub: Biren Singh

Biren Singh says expanding poppy cultivation is causing extensive damage to forest areas and the state's ecological balance

Team PGurus

September 16, 2026

Biren Singh says expanding poppy cultivation is causing extensive damage to forest areas and the state's ecological balance

Biren Singh seeks fresh action against poppy cultivation

Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday accused Manipur of turning into a poppy hub and urged the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Environment Ministry to take urgent, decisive action. Singh had made a detailed statement on social media, uploading videos of poppy cultivation hills in the troubled State.

“Manipur is turning into a poppy hub. We can no longer deny that the Golden Triangle has already reached our doorstep. It fills me with deep sorrow to see my beloved Manipur being turned into a poppy hub. Our once-lush forest areas are being devastated beyond recognition, while more locations with large-scale cultivation continue to be uncovered.

“What is even more disturbing is the lack of visible action in recent times. Earlier, massive drives were carried out across the State to destroy poppy plantations. Today, despite fresh reports of large-scale cultivation, that same urgency is no longer visible,” said Singh.

MANIPUR IS TURNING INTO A POPPY HUB. WE CAN NO LONGER DENY THAT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE HAS ALREADY REACHED OUR DOORSTEP
It fills me with deep sorrow to see my beloved Manipur being turned into a poppy hub. Our once-lush forest areas are being devastated beyond recognition, while… pic.twitter.com/yeuOWxhkFK
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 15, 2026

“At this alarming rate, we are not just losing our green cover; we are destroying the future of generations to come. The spread of poppy cultivation also raises serious concerns about Manipur’s proximity to the Golden Triangle and the danger of our State becoming deeply entangled in the narcotics economy,” said the former Chief Minister, urging the Central government’s Narcotics Control Bureau and Environment Ministry to take serious, urgent and decisive action before it is too late.”

“My govt did (1) identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Manipur- found around 2,480 in the beginning; (2) started a war on drugs since 2018, arrested around 3375 drug smugglers (includes Meitei, Muslim, Nagas, Gurkha, etc.) and poppy planters, destroyed more then 20 thousands hectares of poppy plantations. Evicted more than 300 illegal encroachers from the reserve and protected forests, including around 200 in the valley. It was done by my govt for a better state and a better future, never targeted at any community. God sees everything; he will decide,” said Singh in a reply to the comments on his post.

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