Difficult to Destroy Poppy Cultivation in Northeast India

Shillong, May 23 : Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) chief O P S Malik today admitted that anti-narcotics agencies were finding it increasingly difficult to destroy poppy and cannabis cultivation in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

''West Bengal, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have been identified as poppy cultivation state, but destruction of poppy cultivation in Manipur and Arunachal has become very difficult as poppy seeds are grown in inaccessible areas,'' Mr Malik told newspersons after chairing the Regional Conference of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Eastern Region.

Over 3000 acres of poppy cultivation were destroyed in West Bengal alone, while 1200 acres in Arunachal Pradesh and 850 acres in Manipur, he said.

The NCB chief also said Meghalaya had been identified as ''transit point'' in drugs smuggling business, though the consumption in the state was not high.

'' Trafficking route will be formed to combat the menace of unlawful drugs trade, '' he added.

When asked, Mr Malik did not rule out the possibility of militants' involvement in drug smuggling in the North East being a militant-prone region in the form of ''monetary benefits''.

'' We cannot say and don't have direct evidences but the possibility of making monetary benefits by militant outfits cannot be ruled out, '' he said.