CM warns drug dealers, poppy cultivators
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 23 2022: Chief Minister N Biren has warned all drug dealers and poppy cultivators that the matter would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) if they refuse to respond positively to the State Government's repeated appeals to stop drug trafficking and poppy plantation.

The Chief Minister was speaking during distribution of 'welfare benefits' of the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) at Hapta Kangjeibung today.

Deliberating on the War on Drugs campaign, the Chief Minister said the drug issue is a serious concern and that people should bring out drug traffickers living in their localities.

CM warns drug dealers, poppy cultivators

"We don't want mob justice or violence against drug traffickers, but we have to provide them alternative means or assistance", Biren said.

Expressing happiness that the War on Drugs and drive against illegal poppy plantation have achieved huge success with the support of the public, the Chief Minister said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also appreciated the State's efforts against the drug menace.

He went on to claim that extensive poppy cultivation in hill areas has declined by 90 per cent after the public, particularly tribal leaders came out in support of the War on Drugs.

Biren informed that a large team of State forces including NAB was sent off today to destroy the remaining 10 to 15 per cent of poppy cultivation.

The State Cabinet has already adopted a decision to take up stringent action against all those village authorities which have been supporting poppy plantation.

As suggested by the Union Home Minister to hand over the drug issue to either NIA or NCB if the State Government is unable to deal with the issue, a coordination meeting had been held already, Biren said.

Reiterating his appeal to all concerned to stop drug trafficking and poppy plantation, the Chief Minister stated that the issue would be handed over to either NIA or NCB if the State Government's appeal goes unheeded.

Highlighting that several welfare benefits are provided including Accidental Death Benefit, Educational Benefit, Disability Benefits etc, the Chief Minister said that subsidies and benefits of welfare schemes are now directly transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries under an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This Direct Benefit Transfer ensures that the subsidies and benefits reach the beneficiaries directly without the involvement of middlemen which ensures there is no corruption, N Biren said to the crowd which mainly comprised construction workers and labourers.

"The recent Covid-19 pandemic has taught us a valuable lesson that humans are harming nature", Biren said.

"We need to live in harmony with nature," he asserted echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'One Earth, One Family' slogan.

The Chief Minister further spoke against rapid deforestation and said without forest cover, there will be water scarcity and it will eventually affect cultivation.

Stressing that it is the time to be united and work towards safeguarding the future generations, the Chief Minister also expressed concern over the issue of drug abuse.

The Chief Minister also urged the public to wear masks considering the new Covid cases around the world.

The welfare benefits distributed today included 5000 Education Benefits, 500 Medical Benefits, 78 Natural Death Benefits, 16 Accidental Benefits, 13 Maternity Benefit, one Disability Benefit with a total amount of Rs 7 crore and 68 lakh.

The function was also attended by Works Minister Works Konthoujam Govindas, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta and MLAs, among others.