The Congress party and other opposition party members had called for the resignation of Nongthombam Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur in the all-party meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 24 June 2023 over the Manipur unrest.
Earlier, Biren Singh had expressed his intention to resign, but on 30 June 2023, he decided not to step down from his position. This change of heart came about after local residents rallied in his support, leading him to tear up his resignation letter.
What Is Biren Singh Doing That Is Irking Everyone?
Since assuming the role of Chief Minister of Manipur in 2017, Biren Singh has been dedicated to combating the issue of drug trafficking that plagued the state. He has taken significant measures to address and suppress the drug-related problems in Manipur.
Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh, is a big problem.
1. Mar’23 – ₹56.5 Crores
2. Feb’23 – ₹25 Crores
3. Feb’23 – ₹2.7 Crores
4. Aug’22 – ₹82 Crores
5. Jun’22 – ₹2.76 Crores
6. May’22 – ₹31 Crores
7. Dec’ 21 – ₹508 Crores
8. Sep’21 – ₹90 Crores
9. Feb’21 – ₹14…— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) July 21, 2023
Below is a compilation of events where significant drug seizures were conducted by the local police and the Army. It is essential to keep in mind that this list does not encompass all such incidents.
2018
In June 2018, a substantial drug bust took place where drugs valued at ₹40 crores were seized. A significant amount of heroin and party drugs were found at the official residence of the chairman of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in Chandel district, Manipur.
On 5 June 2018, a joint operation involving the police and commandos of the 11 Assam Rifles led to the seizure of narcotics worth nearly ₹2 crores in Manipur’s Moreh border town. During the operation, three drug traffickers were apprehended.
2019
In January 2019, a significant drug bust occurred in Manipur when Assam Rifles personnel seized drugs worth ₹5.78 crores. During a routine check at Khudengthabi post in Tengnoupal, located approximately 90 km south of the state capital, they apprehended one alleged smuggler.
The seized drugs included 1,44,000 party drug tablets known as WY (World is Yours) and 732 grams of brown sugar. The operation was a major success in the fight against drug trafficking in the region.
Toward the end of January 2019, the Tengnoupal Battalion of 26 Sector Assam Rifles, operating under the aegis of IGAR (South), achieved significant success by apprehending a narcotics smuggler.
The operation led to the seizure of 64,000 WY tablets, valued at around ₹1.92 crores, at the Permanent Check Post (PVCP) Khudengthabi.
On 29 June 2019, a joint team consisting of Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) police and Thoubal police conducted a raid, leading to the discovery of a heroin (brown sugar) manufacturing laboratory.
The operation resulted in the recovery of an extensive quantity of drugs valued at approximately ₹100 crores in the international market.
On 17 August 2019, in the Thoubal district of Manipur, the local police successfully dismantled an illicit drug manufacturing facility and confiscated 184.644 kilograms of brown sugar.
The estimated value of the seized drugs in the international market is ₹166 crores. This operation marked a significant achievement in the fight against drug production and trafficking in the region.
On 25 August 2019, Thoubal District Police accomplished their largest-ever drug seizure by confiscating contraband drugs valued at ₹400 crores.
Additionally, during the operation, they apprehended an international drug smuggler. This remarkable achievement highlights the scale of their success in combatting drug trafficking in the region.
In November 2019, Assam Rifles troops conducted a drug bust in Manipur, during which they recovered contraband items valued at over ₹28 lakhs.
2020
On 9 February 2020, a combined effort by Assam Rifles and Maphou Police led to the discovery and dismantling of an illegal drug processing and manufacturing plant in Thoubal district.
During the operation, a substantial quantity of drugs, including heroin and brown sugar, with an estimated value of ₹120 crores, was seized. This successful operation dealt a significant blow to drug-related activities in the region.
On 12 November 2020, a significant drug bust occurred in Manipur’s Thoubal district when a joint operation involving Manipur Police and Assam Rifles resulted in the seizure of approximately 72 kg of brown sugar.
The estimated value of the seized drugs was over ₹287 crores.
In December 2020, a well-coordinated operation conducted by Assam Rifles, police, and the NCB resulted in the raid of two locations in the border town of Moreh. During the operation, a significant amount of narcotics and contraband items valued at over ₹165 crores were seized. This drug bust is one of the largest in recent times in Manipur.
Additionally, the security forces also recovered a foreign-made pistol, a ‘gun,’ and ammunition. They arrested two Myanmar citizens and four Indian drug traffickers in connection with the operation, as stated by the PRO IGAR (South). In another separate operation, Assam Rifles troops intercepted a smuggling attempt on the Larong-Khongjol route in Chandel. The operation resulted in the seizure of brown sugar worth ₹2.92 crores that was being smuggled from Myanmar.
2021
The Manipur Police on 22 February 2023 seized banned party drugs worth ₹14 crores in the international market and arrested 3 persons in Manipur.
In July 2021, a car carrying two drug peddlers was intercepted on Old Lambulane Road in Imphal. During the search, law enforcement officials found four packets containing a total of 40,000 WY tablets in the vehicle.
In September 2021, a major operation was carried out by the Narcotic Control Bureau (NAB) to combat drug trafficking, resulting in the successful apprehension of a drug smuggler.
As per official reports, the security forces discovered 70 soap cases containing suspected heroin No. 4, weighing a total of 875 grams. These illicit substances were concealed inside a specially designed cabin on the roof of a black Bolero vehicle. The seizure and arrest were part of the ongoing efforts to tackle the drug menace in the region.
During a major drug bust in September 2021, a substantial quantity of brown sugar worth approximately ₹90 crores was seized in Imphal’s east following a raid.
In November 2021, the Narcotic Control Bureau (NAB) conducted a seizure of a substantial consignment of contraband substances in Manipur. The haul included 1kg of ice drug or crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated value of around ₹2 crores.
In December 2021, a significant drug seizure took place in a town in Manipur, resulting in the confiscation of drugs worth over ₹508 crores. The operation was carried out during a joint effort by Moreh police and personnel from the 43 Assam Rifles. The seizure occurred on Monday afternoon at a house situated in Moreh, and one individual was arrested in connection with the illegal drugs.
2022
In February 2022, two individuals from Manipur were apprehended in Delhi for their involvement in drug trafficking. They were arrested for supplying 25 kg of heroin, which had an estimated value of over ₹125 crores.
In March 2022, a significant operation was carried out by a team of Tengnoupal Police to combat the drug menace in Manipur. During the operation, they successfully apprehended an offender and seized a large stash of contraband substances from his possession. The estimated value of the confiscated drugs was around ₹2 crores.
In March 2022, in response to directives from Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, joint teams comprising the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) and police initiated the eradication of lush poppy plantations cultivated in different areas, particularly in the mountains. Simultaneously, surprise search operations and frisking activities are being conducted in suspected locations. It was reported that poppy plants spanning over 150 acres of land were successfully destroyed in the process.
In April 2022, Assam Rifles conducted an operation in Manipur’s Moreh town, resulting in the seizure of drugs valued at ₹6.5 crores. The confiscated items included 11.19 kg of World is Yours (WIY) tablets and 0.37 kg of heroin powder.
These illegal substances were found in a house located near the Myanmar border in Moreh.
On 6 April 2022, Assam Rifles troops made an arrest in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, near a check-post, during which they seized contraband drugs worth ₹3 crores from the individual’s possession.
In May 2022, Kangpokpi police conducted the largest drug seizure in both Kangpokpi district and Manipur. During this operation, they seized a substantial quantity of suspected heroin No. 4 with an estimated value of ₹31.80 crores in the international market.
In May 2022, the police in Manipur conducted another operation as part of their ongoing efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking. During this operation, two alleged drug peddlers were arrested by the Tengnoupal district police in separate instances.
The police recovered a significant quantity of smuggled drugs, specifically 22.8 kg of WY tablets from one of the arrested person’s possession. The arrest occurred after 20 bundles of illegal drugs were found in a Bolero vehicle during a routine check at the check post along NH-102 at Tengnoupal. The police estimated the approximate value of the seized WY tablets to be ₹4,56,00,000.
On 14 June 2022, the Manipur police conducted a raid in Thoubal district, resulting in the busting of a drug-manufacturing unit.
During the operation at Moijing Mina Bazaar, the police seized a substantial amount of suspected brown sugar, weighing approximately 222.85 kg. Additionally, a woman was arrested by the police team during the raid.
On 17 June 2022, the police conducted an intensive frisking and checking operation, during which they recovered four packets of suspected contraband drugs, believed to be brown sugar.
The total weight of these drugs was approximately 2.025 kg, with an estimated value of ₹34,13,20,000/- in the international market. This seizure is a testament to the Kangpokpi police’s commitment to the state’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign. With this haul, the Kangpokpi police also made two other major seizures, resulting in the confiscation of around 4.271 kg of heroin, valued at approximately ₹58.95 crores in the international market.
In July 2022, the Manipur Police conducted a significant operation in Imphal West, resulting in the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics valued at ₹10 crores.
According to police, the seizure included approximately 138 packets weighing about 136.03 kgs, which were found in a truck.
On 23 July 2022, in Manipur’s Churachandpur District, a significant operation was carried out by the Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, resulting in the seizure of a substantial quantity of narcotics worth ₹2.78 crores.
In August 2022, a joint operation was conducted by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB), and Lilong Police, resulting in the busting of a significant drug manufacturing unit in Manipur.
During the operation, seizures with an estimated value of around ₹82 crores were made.
Another operation in August 2022 carried out in Imphal, resulted in the seizure of ice drugs valued at ₹50 crores.
The confiscated drugs included 5 kg of crystal methamphetamine tablets.
On 15 October 2022, the Police and NAB conducted a series of arrests in Manipur, apprehending five individuals in 48 hours for their involvement in drug-related activities. The arrests were made in different parts of the state, and drugs were recovered from the suspects. In two separate incidents, a man was arrested by teams from Kakching district police and NAB police station for possessing 696 grams of heroin, while three others were apprehended for carrying 3.82 kg of opium.
On 23 October 2022, a joint team of police and Assam Rifles troops arrested a man in Bishnupur’s Torbung Bangla area for possessing 4.3 kg of opium.
In December 2022, security forces conducted an operation in the border town of Moreh, resulting in the arrest of four drug smugglers.
During the operation, they seized narcotic items with an estimated value of ₹4.30 crores.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh revealed that in the year 2022, a significant amount of drugs, valued at ₹1,228 crores, was seized in the state.
During the drug war carried out by the state government, the authorities managed to arrest 703 individuals involved in drug-related activities. Notably, among the seized drugs were 500 kg of brown sugar and 560 kg of opium and heroin.
2023
In Jan 2023, the Anti-Smuggling Unit, Customs Division, Imphal, conducted a seizure operation in Imphal West, resulting in the confiscation of 26,800 amphetamine tablets and 760g of raw opium from two individuals.
The total value of the seized contraband drugs in the international market is estimated to be nearly ₹2.7 crores
In February 2023, as part of the ongoing War on Drugs campaign, the Government of Manipur made significant arrests. At least five poppy growers, two drug smugglers, and one youth were apprehended. During these operations, one kg of ganja was seized from the suspects. Additionally, the two drug smugglers were found to be carrying 114.60 grams of brown sugar.
Again in February 2023, the police conducted separate operations in Manipur, resulting in the seizure of 1.2 kg of heroin from a vehicle in Bishnupur district’s Moirang Khunou area. The drugs were found packed in 101 soap cases inside a jeep during a regular checking drive conducted by the Bishnupur district police commandos.
Following the seizure, the driver, N Lhungdim (30), and his wife, both from Chandel district, were arrested in connection with the drugs. In a joint operation carried out by a security team in Thoubal district, 484 grams of heroin were seized. These successful operations received praise from the Chief Minister.
In another operation conducted by security agencies in February 2023 in Manipur, they recovered and seized drugs valued at ₹10 crores.
As a result of this operation, four individuals, including two women, were arrested by the security personnel in connection with the seizure of the drugs.
In February 2023, there was another significant seizure of contraband drugs in Moreh. A combined team of the 5th Assam Rifles and Moreh police, during their routine patrol duty in and around Moreh town, seized 56.255 kgs of WY tablets.
These drugs are estimated to be worth more than ₹25 crores in the international market.
The month of February 2023 also saw seizures of brown sugar worth ₹6 crores in Aisi village and another haul of over 3 kg brown sugar in Manipur’s Tengnoupla district.
In March 2023, Assam Rifles conducted an operation in the Nambol district, during which they recovered drugs valued at ₹80 lakhs.
ASSAM RIFLES APPREHENDS DRUG SMUGGLERS IN MANIPUR
Keithelmanbi Battalion of #AssamRifles on 25 Mar 2023, in a joint operation Thoubal Police recovered drugs worth 80 Lakh at Nambol District, Manipur.@adgpi @HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/K2lalpdZPk— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) March 26, 2023
On 10 March 2023, Assam Rifles conducted an operation in Manipur, resulting in the seizure of approximately 27.93 kg of brown sugar valued at about ₹55.86 crores. During this operation, two drug peddlers were arrested by the authorities
On March 24, 2023, an operational team from 5 Assam Rifles conducted a seizure operation in General Area Hallanphai near border pillar 76.
During the operation, the team seized suspected brown sugar weighing 1.536 kg, with an estimated value of ₹3.07 crores in the international market. However, despite their efforts, two traffickers on a Kenbo Bike 125 managed to escape using the porous India-Myanmar border and the cover of darkness.
On 17 April 2023, the Manipur Police conducted an operation based on information received from various sources about drug smuggling activities in the Kshetrigao area, approximately 4 km from Imphal. During the operation, a joint team from the Imphal East District Police and Porompat Police Station recovered 48g of high-quality heroin from two alleged drug traffickers. The operation was launched around 2 pm on the 16th of April in response to intelligence reports on drug-related activities in the area.
In another operation in April 2023, the Kangpokpi police successfully busted an interstate drug ring and arrested four individuals, including a woman, who were allegedly involved in the illegal operation. The arrests took place at different locations, and during the operation, the police seized 1.018 kilograms of brown sugar from the suspects.
On 21 April 2023, Assam Police seized 1.3kg of heroin from a vehicle coming from Manipur.
On the same day, the Assam Police in Karbi Anglong intercepted a truck that was coming from the neighboring state of Manipur. During the interception, the police recovered 116 soap boxes containing 1.3 kg of heroin in Lahorijan.
As of April 2023, Manipur has witnessed the arrest of over 370 terrorists and the seizure of drugs worth ₹1,300 crores in the span of two years.
In May 2023, an anti-smuggling team in Imphal successfully arrested two drug peddlers, including a woman, in two separate operations conducted in Imphal and Thoubal districts.
Acting on specific information, the team apprehended the woman along with 78,000 Amphetamine tablets from Wahengleikai Bus Parking in Imphal.
On 2 May 2023, Manipur police conducted an operation in which they arrested four alleged smugglers, including a female.
During the operation, the police seized a significant quantity of contraband items, including opium, foreign cigarettes, and Amphetamine tablets. The total value of these seized items in the international market is estimated to be around ₹10 crores.
On 2 May 2023, the Manipur police conducted a successful drug seizure operation in Singhat, located in the Churachandpur district of Manipur near the India-Myanmar border. During the operation, the police seized a consignment of brown sugar weighing 1.08 kg from a vehicle. The estimated value of the seized drugs is over ₹1 crore.
On 3 May 2023, the Manipur Police conducted a significant drug seizure operation, resulting in the confiscation of over 15 kg of heroin. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth around ₹25 crores. The operation led to the arrest of four alleged smugglers, including a woman.
In a significant drug seizure operation on 1 May 2023, the Kangpokpi district police confiscated 15.011 kilograms of heroin powder at the Kangpokpi police check post. The seized drugs have an estimated value of ₹100 crores. This operation stands as one of the largest drug hauls in the state.
On 10 May 2023, the Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB-PS) conducted a raid in Manipur’s Imphal East District, leading to the recovery of a significant quantity of narcotic items.
Acting on specific information, the NAB-PS recovered 77 gunny bags containing suspected poppy seeds, one packet containing 520 grams of synthetic caffeine, and one transparent plastic packet containing 175 grams of Pseudoephedrine.
War On Drugs
In March 2023, the Manipur state assembly made a significant move to address the increasing problem of drug abuse by unanimously passing a resolution. The resolution designated all 60 members of the assembly as warriors of the “War on Drugs” campaign. This private member resolution was approved on the final day of the 3rd session of the 12th Manipur legislative assembly, with all the MLAs, irrespective of their party affiliations, expressing their support for the resolution. This united step demonstrates the assembly’s collective commitment to combat drug-related issues in the state.
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