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Civil society organisations belonging to the Kuki community have resolved to halt poppy cultivation across Manipur’s Kangpokpi district from January 1, 2026.
The resolution by these organisations, including the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association, is considered significant as poppy cultivation is perceived to be one of the factors contributing to the ethnic animosity in Manipur since May 2023.
More than 260 people have been killed and 62,000 others displaced after the ethnic conflict between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei communities broke out more than two years ago. The State, under President’s Rule since February 13, is yet to recover from the impact of the violence.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday (December 23, 2025), the civil society organisations said three rounds of meetings were held on December 10, 16, and 19 to resolve against poppy cultivation in Kangpokpi.
‘In the larger public interest’
“Across all these meetings, every participating organisation and village chief unanimously pledged and committed that poppy cultivation will be completely discontinued in their respective jurisdictions from 2026 onwards,” the statement read.
It said that the decision was taken by the organisations in Kangpokpi district “in the larger public interest, keeping in view the social, environmental, economic, and moral consequences of poppy cultivation, and reflects the collective will of the people”.
The organisations warned that “any village chief or authority found violating or failing to comply with the resolutions adopted during these public consultations would face strict and decisive action”.
Some Meitei organisations welcomed the decision, but noted that it was an acknowledgement that people across the Kuki-dominated landscape have been involved in poppy cultivation. Kuki extremist groups, which signed the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Centre in 2008, allegedly run the poppy plantations.
The poppy plant produces opium and its derivatives, including morphine, codeine, heroin, and oxycodone.
Plantations in 12 districts
According to a report by Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre in December 2024, the Manipur Police and other law enforcement agencies destroyed illegal poppy cultivation on 19,135.6 acres across 12 districts of the State between 2017 and January 2024.
Kangpokpi district topped the list with 4,454.4 acres of poppy plantations destroyed, followed by Ukhrul district with 3,348 acres, and Churachandpur with 2,713.8 acres. In the past few weeks, the security forces destroyed poppy plantations on at least 559 acres in these districts.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kukis in the the State, called for the solemn observance of Christmas for the third successive year, given the “unprecedented period of suffering and uncertainty” for the people.
“Christmas carries a profound message of hope, peace and divine light, especially during moments of deep pain and uncertainty. Despite immense adversity, the people have remained steadfast in faith and in the belief that justice and peace will ultimately prevail,” KIM president C. Ajang Khongsai said.
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