Sun Feb 02 18:04:09 UTC 2025: ## Manipur Kuki Leader Faces Legal Action After Mob Attacks Poppy Eradication Team
**Imphal, Manipur –** The head of a prominent Kuki organization in Manipur, Ajang Khongsai, chief of the Kuki Inpi, is facing legal repercussions following a mob attack on a joint police and CRPF team attempting to destroy illegal opium poppy fields. The incident occurred on January 31st in Lhungjang village, Kangpokpi district.
According to a Manipur government statement, a large mob armed with sticks confronted the security forces, preventing the destruction of the poppy fields and vandalizing three police vehicles. The government condemned the violence and stated that an FIR has been filed against those involved, including Khongsai. Reinforcements were eventually deployed, and the team managed to destroy approximately 45 acres of poppy cultivation.
This incident follows a separate operation in Tengnoupal district where over 25 acres of poppy fields were destroyed, as announced by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday. He commended the efforts of various agencies involved in the operation. Mr. Singh also expressed support for Assam’s efforts in combating illegal poppy cultivation.
The Kuki Inpi, of which Khongsai is chief, has previously supported calls for a separate administration within Manipur. The Kuki community alleges that the government’s “war on drugs” disproportionately targets Kuki farmers in the hills, neglecting the involvement of drug lords in the Meitei-dominated valleys. The Manipur government denies these claims.
The clashes highlight the ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which have been marked by violence since May 2023, stemming from disputes over land rights and political representation. The January 31st incident, and the continuing anti-drug operations, underscore the complex challenges facing Manipur amidst the ongoing conflict.
First Piper 