In the heat of an increasingly unstable political climate, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh is resolute, refusing to bend to opposition pressure demanding his resignation. According to the Chief Minister, the thought of relinquishing his position is out of the question unless explicitly asked by the central leadership. The opposition, including the Congress, is baying for his dismissal, raising speculation that his party, the BJP, might ask him to step down.

The unrest in Manipur, where N Biren Singh holds his position with a grip of steel, stems from violence that has raged since May 3 between two communities - the Meities, who hold the majority, and the tribal Kukis. Efforts by both the state and central governments to pacify the warring factions have been in vain. A horrifying video that surfaced last week, showing the inhuman treatment of two tribal women, has further fueled the tension in the northeastern state.

The opposition parties, led by the Congress, are relentlessly calling for the dismissal of N Biren Singh, alleging that he has not managed the situation appropriately. Rumors are swirling that his own party, the BJP, might request him to step down from his position. However, Singh, who led his party to a second consecutive victory, insists that he was elected by the people of Manipur and won't bow down to political pressure. "Unless the central leadership and people of Manipur demand, I won't leave my post," Singh said in a compelling argument.

Holding a high-ranking position in the world's biggest political party and being the chief minister of a state puts a lot on Singh's shoulders. He pledges to adhere to whatever orders come from the central leadership. "My primary duty now is to uphold law and order in Manipur and restore peace as soon as possible. Until now, no one has asked me to resign," he asserts with an air of defiance.

In an unexpected twist, Singh blames the unrest in Manipur on illegal migrants and drug smugglers. The government has taken measures to curb illegal immigration, even forming a committee for this purpose. "Manipur is home to 34 tribes, including Kukis and Meities. Our people are united. However, certain groups have used rallies as a pretext to incite violence in the state," he reveals, referring to the tribal rally on May 3 that led to the state spiraling into a state of relentless violence.

Furthermore, Singh points out, "Once we started keeping tabs on illegal immigrants, the trouble began. These acts are being perpetrated by outsiders, including militants and drug smugglers." Despite the situation, he reassures that peace will reign in Manipur soon. "The state government, in cooperation with the central government and the Army, is working diligently towards this end, and I am confident that normalcy will be restored shortly," he assures.

So, Why is N Biren Singh Such a Thorn in the Side of Opposition Parties?

Nongthombam Biren Singh, the man in the eye of the storm, has been leading the charge against drug trafficking and abuse in Manipur. He’s not just any politician; he's a former footballer and journalist. He's leveraged his diverse background and multifaceted approach to wage war against the complex issue of drug abuse in the state.

Under Singh's leadership, the Manipur government has made a concrete stand against drug cartels, showing commitment through numerous drug seizures, which has not sat well with everyone.

The Congress party and other opposition members have called for Singh's resignation during the all-party meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 24 June 2023 over the Manipur unrest. However, Biren Singh initially considered resigning, but after local residents rallied in his support, he had a change of heart, deciding to remain in his position on 30 June 2023, ripping up his resignation letter to the cheers of his supporters.

So, What is Singh Doing That Has the Opposition Up in Arms?

Since he assumed the role of Chief Minister of Manipur in 2017, Singh has dedicated himself to tackling the drug trafficking issue plaguing the state, earning both admirers and detractors. He's not just all talk; he's taken substantial action to combat the drug-related problems in Manipur, as evidenced by numerous drug busts and seizures conducted under his watch.

Let's take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing on some of the biggest drug busts in Manipur under Singh's leadership. It's important to note that this list only scratches the surface; there have been numerous other drug busts over the years.

2018 was a successful year in the fight against drugs. In June, a major drug bust led to the seizure of drugs valued at ₹40 crores from the official residence of the chairman of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in Chandel district, Manipur. This included a significant amount of heroin and party drugs. Later that same month, a joint operation led by the police and commandos of the 11 Assam Rifles resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth nearly ₹2 crores in Manipur’s Moreh border town.

2019 started on a high note with a significant drug bust in January, resulting in the seizure of drugs worth ₹5.78 crores. The haul included 1,44,000 party drug tablets known as WY (World is Yours) and 732 grams of brown sugar. By the end of that month, another significant bust led to the seizure of 64,000 WY tablets.

The dedication to eradicating drug abuse in Manipur hasn't gone unnoticed, but it's also rubbed some the wrong way. With every seizure and crackdown, it's clear that Biren Singh won't back down easily, which is perhaps why he's facing such stiff opposition from those who would rather maintain the status quo.

In the Thoubal district of Manipur, a simple day turned out to be a battlefield against the illicit drug trade. This event, taking place on the 17th of August, 2019, saw the local heroes, our police force, unearth a den of illegal drug manufacturing. They discovered and seized a whopping 184.644 kilograms of sinister brown sugar. The drugs, believed to be worth an approximate ₹100 crores in the twisted world of the international black market, painted a picture of the horrifying reality. Such a discovery was alarming, yet rewarding in its own right, signifying a significant milestone in the perpetual battle against drug production and trafficking.

Our dear opposition, always the sticklers for detail, may question the value. So here it is - the staggering estimated market value of this illicit haul was ₹166 crores. A pretty penny, isn't it? An achievement to be celebrated, sure, but it's also a chilling reminder of the scale of the problem we face in our very own backyard.

The saga continued when on the 25th of August, 2019, our unyielding Thoubal District Police outdid themselves. They carried out their largest-ever drug seizure operation, successfully confiscating a heap of banned drugs with a mind-boggling market value of ₹400 crores. It was like hitting the jackpot, but only if the jackpot was a pile of devastating, life-ruining substances. But wait, there's more! A renowned international drug smuggler was also apprehended during the operation, just like a cherry on top of a cake you never wanted to bake.

Then November 2019 rolled around, and the brave troops of the Assam Rifles took the stage. With an unwavering resolve, they conducted a drug bust operation in Manipur, successfully confiscating an array of banned items with a market value that ran over ₹28 lakhs.

As we rolled into 2020, the fight against drugs showed no signs of slowing down. February 9, 2020, was marked by an operation that could easily be adapted into a blockbuster movie plot. Assam Rifles and Maphou Police joined hands and unearthed an illegal drug processing plant in Thoubal district. As if to taunt the opposition for their inability to do anything worthwhile, the operation saw the seizure of a significant amount of drugs, including deadly heroin and brown sugar. Can you guess the estimated value? It was an astounding ₹120 crores!

By November 2020, Thoubal district seemed to have become a hotbed for drug activity. But it was no match for the combined forces of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles. Together, they seized approximately 72 kilograms of brown sugar. Brown sugar might sound like a baking ingredient, but let me assure you, it's not something you'd want in your kitchen. The drugs were estimated to be worth over ₹287 crores. You'd think that would give the opposition some food for thought, but their silence remained deafening.

In the chilly month of December 2020, Assam Rifles, police, and the NCB collaborated for a high-stakes operation in the border town of Moreh. They raided two locations and seized an enormous amount of narcotics and contraband items. How much was it all worth, you ask? Well, over ₹165 crores! This was one of the largest drug busts in recent history in Manipur. The opposition might wish to argue the point, but the figures don't lie.

During the operation, foreign-made weapons and ammunition were also recovered. As the dust settled, six individuals were put behind bars. This included two foreign nationals from Myanmar and four Indian drug traffickers, all connected to the operation. Let that sink in. Imagine the audacity!

In 2021, the battle against drugs persisted. Manipur Police, on 22 February, confiscated banned party drugs valued at ₹14 crores in the international market and arrested three people. But the story doesn't end there. In July 2021, a vehicle carrying two drug peddlers was stopped on Old Lambulane Road in Imphal. A search led to the recovery of 40,000 WY tablets, cleverly concealed within four packets in the car.

By September 2021, it was clear that drug trafficking in Manipur had grown into a monster. But no monster was too big for our forces. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NAB) successfully apprehended a drug smuggler during a significant operation. Reports suggest that 70 soap cases were found filled with suspected heroin No. 4, weighing a total of 875 grams. This nefarious load was stashed away in a specially designed cabin atop a black Bolero vehicle. It was another solid punch to the drug menace in the region, and one can only wonder why the opposition has yet to raise a word of appreciation for the hard work done by the police.

And it wasn't the end. In November 2021, NAB conducted another major operation, seizing a consignment of contraband substances. It included 1kg of ice drug or crystal methamphetamine, worth an estimated ₹2 crores. Even the cold month of December wasn't free from illicit activities. A joint operation by Moreh police and personnel from the 43 Assam Rifles led to the confiscation of drugs worth over ₹508 crores. Talk about ending the year with a bang!

Fast forward to 2022, and it becomes clear that the nefarious drug trade knows no bounds. In February, two Manipur natives were arrested in Delhi for their involvement in drug trafficking. The pair were apprehended while supplying 25 kg of heroin, estimated to be worth over ₹125 crores.

In March, a significant operation by Tengnoupal Police led to the arrest of another criminal and the seizure of contraband worth approximately ₹2 crores. Furthermore, acting on the directives of the Chief Minister, joint teams from the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) and the police initiated the eradication of poppy plantations across different areas. In the process, poppy plants sprawling across more than 150 acres were destroyed.

In April, Assam Rifles conducted an operation in Manipur’s Moreh town, leading to the seizure of drugs valued at ₹6.5 crores. On the 6th of April, they made another significant arrest in Tengnoupal district, seizing contraband drugs worth ₹3 crores.

As May 2022 dawned, Kangpokpi police conducted the largest drug seizure in the district's history, confiscating an estimated ₹31.80 crores worth of suspected heroin No. 4. Later that month, two more alleged drug peddlers were arrested, and a significant quantity of drugs was seized. The operation recovered 22.8 kg of WY tablets worth ₹4,56,00,000.

Throughout these years, the relentless efforts and courage of our law enforcement agencies have been incredible. These incidents highlight the gravity of the situation and the tireless work being done to curb it. The silence of the opposition, in contrast, is truly puzzling. It is as if they are comfortably oblivious to this harsh reality. Wake up, dear opposition! This is no time for silent spectators.

In the middle of the year 2022, precisely on the 14th of June, the renowned crime-fighters, the Manipur police, conducted an intense operation, leaving no stone unturned in the Thoubal district. The outcome was the smashing of an illegal drug manufacturing hub. As we dig deeper into the narrative of the operation, it becomes apparent that the authorities were not playing around.

The location of the sting operation, Moijing Mina Bazaar, was turned upside down, and a significant quantity of the notorious brown sugar was seized. The police team measured the weight of the suspected brown sugar on-site to be around a whopping 222.85 kg. Oh, and did I mention? They also arrested a woman during the raid, evidently catching her red-handed.

A few days later, on 17 June 2022, the police were back at it again with an extensive frisking and checking operation. Their relentless efforts paid off as they found four packets of what they suspected to be the infamous contraband drug – yes, brown sugar. The total weight of the drugs was around 2.025 kg, and if you can believe it, they were valued at a jaw-dropping ₹34,13,20,000/- in the international market. The Kangpokpi police deserve a pat on the back for their dogged commitment to the state’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign. Alongside this drug haul, the Kangpokpi police made two other significant seizures, confiscating around 4.271 kg of heroin, valued at roughly ₹58.95 crores in the international market.

Fast forward to July 2022, and we find the relentless Manipur Police in Imphal West, conducting another large-scale operation. The outcome? Seizure of a mammoth quantity of narcotics, with an estimated value of ₹10 crores. According to the police, they found about 138 packets, which weighed around 136.03 kgs, in a truck of all places.

The plot thickens as we head over to Churachandpur District in Manipur on 23 July 2022. Here, the Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles carried out a substantial operation, seizing a generous amount of narcotics worth about ₹2.78 crores.

The drug busts continued into August 2022, with a cooperative operation by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB), and Lilong Police, leading to the busting of a significant drug manufacturing unit in Manipur. The estimated value of the seizures made during this operation was around ₹82 crores. That's not all. There was another operation carried out in Imphal that same month, which resulted in the seizure of ice drugs valued at ₹50 crores, which included 5 kg of the dreaded crystal methamphetamine tablets.

Fast forward a bit to 15 October 2022, when the Police and NAB made a series of arrests within 48 hours, apprehending five individuals from different parts of the state. These arrests were a blow to the drug peddling business, as a significant amount of drugs was recovered. Two suspects were arrested for possessing 696 grams of heroin while three others were apprehended for carrying 3.82 kg of opium.

On 23 October 2022, in Bishnupur’s Torbung Bangla area, a joint team of police and Assam Rifles troops arrested a man for possessing 4.3 kg of opium. The audacity of these criminals is unbelievable, isn't it?

Then, in December 2022, a significant operation in the border town of Moreh resulted in the arrest of four drug smugglers. During the operation, narcotic items with an estimated value of ₹4.30 crores were seized.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in a display of brutal transparency, revealed that in the year 2022, a significant amount of drugs, valued at a staggering ₹1,228 crores, was seized in the state. The hardworking authorities managed to arrest 703 individuals involved in drug-related activities, seizing 500 kg of brown sugar and 560 kg of opium and heroin. The scale of the operation was mind-boggling.

The tireless fight against drugs continued into 2023. In January, the Anti-Smuggling Unit, Customs Division, Imphal, conducted an operation in Imphal West, confiscating 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, the Government of Manipur, as part of the ongoing War on Drugs campaign, made significant arrests. Five poppy growers, two drug smugglers, and one youth were apprehended. During these operations, one kg of ganja was seized from the suspects. Moreover, the two drug smugglers were found carrying 114.60 grams of brown sugar.

Later in February, separate operations in Manipur led to the seizure of 1.2 kg of heroin from a vehicle in Bishnupur district’s Moirang Khunou area. The drugs, packed in 101 soap cases, were found in a jeep during a regular checking drive conducted by the Bishnupur district police commandos. 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.

In yet another operation conducted by security agencies in February 2023 in Manipur, they recovered and seized drugs valued at ₹10 crores. Four individuals, including two women, were arrested in connection with the seizure of the drugs.

In February 2023, a significant seizure of contraband drugs took place in Moreh. A combined team of the 5th Assam Rifles and Moreh police, during their routine patrol duty around Moreh town, seized 56.255 kgs of WY tablets, which were estimated to be worth more than ₹25 crores in the international market. The never-ending story of drug busts continues, and the forces remain adamant about nipping the menace in the bud.

The tale of relentless pursuit and gritty determination of law enforcement agencies battling the scourge of drugs continued into February 2023. The famed Aisi village, in what appeared to be an ironic twist of fate, witnessed a significant seizure of a notorious white powder - brown sugar. Not your ordinary baking ingredient, mind you, but a substance that can set your life spiraling into the depths of addiction. And the amount seized wasn't small potatoes, either. The quantity of this illicit drug confiscated in that single operation was worth a whopping ₹6 crores. But the campaign didn’t end there. Oh, no! We also saw another haul of the same infamous substance - more than 3 kg of it - in Manipur’s Tengnoupla district. The relentless efforts of law enforcement certainly don’t seem to be sugar-coating anything!

And just as the calendar flipped over to March 2023, the ever-vigilant Assam Rifles sprang into action. In an operation that would make even the most hardened criminals shudder, they hit the Nambol district like a whirlwind, recovering drugs valued at a staggering ₹80 lakhs.

The action reached its fever pitch on the 10th of March 2023, when Assam Rifles, in yet another daring operation in Manipur, confiscated approximately 27.93 kg of brown sugar. Let’s put that into perspective: it’s not only a significant weight, but the value of this haul was an estimated ₹55.86 crores. Now that’s what we call a bad day for the drug peddlers! Speaking of the devil, during this operation, the authorities managed to snag two drug peddlers as well. Not bad for a day's work, right?

On March 24, 2023, an operational team from the 5 Assam Rifles performed a seizure operation in the General Area Hallanphai, located conveniently close to border pillar 76. And boy, did they seize! They managed to confiscate a quantity of suspected brown sugar weighing 1.536 kg, with an estimated value of ₹3.07 crores in the international market. However, it wasn’t all peaches and cream. In a twist of events, two traffickers on a Kenbo Bike 125 managed to make a daring escape using the porous India-Myanmar border and the convenient cover of darkness. Despite this minor hiccup, let's not forget the significant seizure accomplished by the team.

Now, let’s turn our focus to April 17, 2023. On this day, the ever-vigilant Manipur Police, acting on some hot leads, decided to investigate drug smuggling activities in the Kshetrigao area, a stone's throw away from Imphal. The operation, launched in broad daylight around 2 pm on April 16, yielded results almost immediately. A joint team from the Imphal East District Police and Porompat Police Station recovered 48g of high-quality heroin from two alleged drug traffickers. Talk about striking gold!

In another operation that month, the Kangpokpi police launched a determined pursuit against an interstate drug ring. Their efforts culminated in the arrest of four individuals, including a woman. They were not out for a picnic, these characters were allegedly deeply involved in the illegal operation. During the operation, the police managed to seize 1.018 kilograms of brown sugar from these unsuspecting suspects.

On April 21, 2023, the ever-alert Assam Police intercepted a vehicle traveling from Manipur. The haul? A staggering 1.3 kg of heroin! The same day, the Assam Police in Karbi Anglong stopped a truck hailing from the neighboring state of Manipur. In a classic move, they discovered 116 soap boxes cunningly concealing 1.3 kg of heroin in Lahorijan. Now, that’s one soap opera no one expected!

By April 2023, Manipur has been nothing short of a battlefield, with over 370 terrorists apprehended and drugs worth ₹1,300 crores seized within just two years. One can only imagine the scale of this menace to warrant such large-scale action.

Fast forward to May 2023, an anti-smuggling team in Imphal flexed their crime-fighting muscles and arrested two drug peddlers, including a woman, in separate operations conducted in Imphal and Thoubal districts. Acting on specific information, the eagle-eyed team apprehended the woman along with 78,000 Amphetamine tablets from Wahengleikai Bus Parking in Imphal.

May 2, 2023, was another red-letter day in the history of Manipur police. On this day, they conducted an operation resulting in the arrest of four alleged smugglers, including a female. During the operation, the police seized a variety of contraband items, including opium, foreign cigarettes, and Amphetamine tablets. The total value of these seized items in the international market? A mind-boggling ₹10 crores.

The same day, Manipur police pulled off a successful drug seizure operation in Singhat, a quaint locale in the Churachandpur district of Manipur near the India-Myanmar border. Here, they seized a consignment of brown sugar weighing 1.08 kg from a vehicle. The estimated value of the seized drugs would make your eyes pop: it's over ₹1 crore.

On May 3, 2023, the Manipur Police conducted another significant drug seizure operation, confiscating over 15 kg of heroin. The estimated worth of the seized drugs is around ₹25 crores. Four alleged smugglers, including a woman, were nabbed during the operation.

The Kangpokpi district police struck a significant blow against the illicit drug trade on May 1, 2023. They seized a jaw-dropping 15.011 kilograms of heroin powder at the Kangpokpi police check post. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth a staggering ₹100 crores, marking one of the largest drug hauls in the state.

Fast forward to May 10, 2023, the Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB-PS) conducted a raid in Manipur’s Imphal East District. Acting on specific information, the NAB-PS managed to recover 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. Quite the haul, wouldn't you say?

In a significant step toward curbing the drug menace, the Manipur state assembly unanimously passed a resolution in March 2023, designating all 60 members of the assembly as warriors of the "War on Drugs" campaign. This happened on the final day of the 3rd session of the 12th Manipur legislative assembly, marking a bold stance by all the MLAs against drug-related issues in the state. This action shows a strong collective commitment to combat this scourge, putting aside political differences and focusing on the greater good of society.