CSOs ignored in War on Drugs campaign: Gitchandra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 11 2022: Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup (NLANL) celebrated its 7th foundation day at the community hall of Naharol Sintha Kanglup, Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi, here on Wednesday with participation by representatives of different CSOs.

NLANL president Yumlembam Memma, All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) president Thokchom Ramani, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) president Lourembam Nganbi, All Manipur Tam-mee Chingmee Apunba Lup president Yambem Momon, NIMPAL president Thingbaijam Ibeyaima, Thoubal Ima president Sapam Bimola and ANUL Bishnupur president Lourembam Pramo attended the event as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, CADA general secretary Gitchandra Mangang maintained that despite repeated appeals of the government to the public to participate and support its war on drugs campaign, there is no place for CSOs in the campaign.

The government is carrying out the campaign on its own.

In the last term, the government's war on drug campaign failed to get any success.

Now, the government is reinventing the campaign as war on drugs 2.0 but there is always a question on the effectiveness of the campaign, he said.

The Anti-Narcotics Task Force also has no place for CSOs though the government could have reserved a place for CSOs if it truly wants to make it a public movement, he said.

Gitchandra then demanded the government to clarify on how CSOs and public could participate in its war on drugs campaign.

Regarding the proposal of legalising liquor, he expressed firm belief that the government will try to bull doze its way to pass the Bill during the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislative assembly.

The whole world accepts that consuming liquor is bad for health and yet the chief minister of Manipur is making a promise to the public to provide them good quality liquor, he said while adding that improving economy by legalising liquor will bring nothing good in the society.

NLANL president Yumlembam Memma said that women have been playing major roles in the Manipuri society since time immemorial, and women organisations are the necessity to protect the society from various issues.

NLANL has also been playing its part in various social issues since its inception, she added.

As a resource person, advocate Laishangbam Jadumani spoke on 'Social status and character of Manipur women in the modern society, which was also the theme of the foundation day celebration function.

Representatives of different organisations also spoke on the topic.

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