Imphal, Manipur, February 1 (HBTV): Security forces in Manipur struck a major blow to drug cartels in Noney district in Manipur by destroying 4.49 acres of illicit poppy plantations today. The operation was led by Noney district police, along with a joint forest team from Noney and Tamenglong in Nurathel village hill range under Noney Police Station. However, they were not to undertake the mission without resistance from a mob.   

A mob of approximately 80 people on Friday confronted a security team, who had gone to destroy an illegal poppy cultivation, and damaged four light vehicles in Kangpokpi district, police said.

The authorities ascended the Lhungjang hill range during which around eighty persons formed a mob taking advantage of the few security personnel protecting police vehicles, police said.

‘About four light vehicles were broken mostly front windshield. The mob was later controlled by using minimum force. Later reinforcement came of two more Coy of CRPF and Mahila Coy and poppy destruction at Lhungjang hill range resumed,’ updates said.