People from all communities involved in narcotics trade

THOUNAOJAM BRINDA was a nightmare for Manipur's drug cartel. She ventured into remote hills and destroyed hectares of poppy plantations, and arrested many VIPs who had links with the drug mafia.

- JAVED PARVESH

When she was the ASP of Narcotics and Affairs of Border, people affectionately called her Lady Singham, drawing inspiration from the movie Singham in which a courageous police officer fights corruption and injustice. After facing political interference, Brinda resigned and later contested in the assembly polls. She returned her gallantry award after the accused in a drug case was acquitted. Excerpts from an interview:

Q/ Does narco-terrorism exist in Manipur? Meitei civil society leaders and politicians are using the term extensively.

A/ In Manipur, I might have been the first person to use this term. There is evidence to suggest the existence of narco-terrorism. The typical characteristics associated with it, such as the utilisation of drug profits to acquire arms and the use of power and money to terrorise people, can be observed in the region.

Q/ Do all stakeholders in the drug cartel—farmers, middlemen and international traders—belong to the same community as it is portrayed?

A/ The poppy cartel in Manipur can be divided into four distinct groups. First, there is the top-level group that reaps the maximum share of profits. Second, there are the financiers. Third, there are the militants, commonly referred to as narco-terrorists. Last, there are the farmers, who are the poorest among these groups.