Sit-in protest staged against drug trafficking
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 27 2020:
Demanding the State Government to check drug-related issues that are mushrooming in the State by rewarding befitting punishment to drug traffickers as per the law of the land, a sit-in protest was staged at Sekta Public ground, Imphal East, today.
The sit-in was organised jointly by Apunba Drug Rehabilitation Centre Forum, Community Network for Empowerment, Kangleipak Drug Awareness and Prevention, User Society for Effective Response Manipur, Social Sporting Club Sekta and Sekta Meira Paibi Apunba Lup on the theme "We are victims, Don't let others" .
Demands such as "Punish dealers according to provisions of law", " Enforce Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act", "Legalised poppy plantation if Government has no intention to solve drug issue", "Come out with scientific module to prevent drug abuse and implement it", "Initiate harm reduction and demand reduction programmes under National and State fund", "Include programmes to prevent drug abuse from School level" etc were raised during the protest.
Speaking on the sideline of the protest, president of Community Network for Empowerment, RK Nalinikanta maintained that the State is fighting drug menace since the early 80s but little or no progress has been made so far.
"Drug abusers should rather be treated as a victim," he said while asserting that the Government should instead act upon those who are manufacturing these substances and check peddling and trading of drugs to help the youth stay away from drugs/intoxicants.
If the Government is not committed to checking drugs-related issues that are hindering the development of the State, the lives of many more people will be ruined, he continued.
Pointing out that Manipur police have registered "483 drugs-related cases and arrested 636 people" of which 126 are women, Nalinikanta said that drugs have the very potential to destroy any given society.
Although Manipur has been plagued with drug issues for over 4 decades, no MLAs or leaders have raised the issue for discussion in the Assembly, he said.
While appealing to the youth to stay away from intoxicants and narcotic substances, Nalinikanta highlighted that abuse or indulgence in such items due to peer pressure or other reasons will only harm them.
Although June 26 is observed as International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking every year, the State is yet to see any visible changes, he continued.
President of Sekta Meira Paibi Apunba Lup also maintained that the Sekta area, which at one point of time had no drug-related problems, has been badly affected by drug issues for the past ten years.
It is quite disheartening that a similar issue has caused extensive damage in many parts of the State, she said, opining that necessary actions should be taken up to solve the issue at the earliest.
A memorandum containing demands raised during the protest demonstration will be submitted to the Governor, said representatives of the participating associations.