Tangkhul bodies reaffirm stand to curb poppy plantations
CM Biren invites joint cooperation of valley & hill based bodies, warns poppy growers
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, May 09 2022:
Tangkhul frontal organisations on Monday submitted a resolution to Chief Minister N Biren Singh showing their commitment to extend full cooperation and support to the state government's War on Drugs mission.
The Tangkhul delegations included representatives of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Katamnao Shaklong (TKS) and Tangkhul Zonal Organisations among others.
Appreciating the delegation for their unconditional support and bold commitment to the War on Drugs mission, CM Biren expressed his hopefulness for successfully preserving the environment which had been degraded for a long time due to large scale poppy cultivation.
He said that Tangkhuls had been taking a major role in development of the state since time immemorial.
Stating that the expression of the delegation showed seriousness in their commitment to fully eradicate poppy cultivation, the Chief Minister appealed to other communities to come up and take a unified stand against the plantation of poppy cultivation.
He maintained that the efforts of the government alone cannot completely root out the drug menace from the state without the support of the public.
He also appealed to people of valley areas to come up with a collective stand to root out drug menace from the state.
Biren further warned drug sellers and traffickers to stop their activities and added that the state police are always vigilant to track and arrest drug sellers.
Any untoward incident which may happen after the police take action would be a loss for all, he added, while maintaining that the government would ensure maximum punishment for those involved in drug trafficking and selling.
The CM then informed that two committees led by IAS officers, including one each for Ukhrul District and Kamjong District had been formed to provide support in the people's stand against poppy cultivation.
Speaking on the occasion, CSOs Committee on Stopping Opium Poppy Cultivation convener and TSL president Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi informed that a Joint Forum including Civil Society Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, NGOs, Media Fraternity and Social Activist held a serious consultation at TNL Hall, Ukhrul on May 5 and took the pledge to reaffirm position and commitment to extend full support to the state government's War on Drugs mission and to curb plantation of poppy.
She continued that the Joint Forum had also appealed to the farmers of Ukhrul district not to opt for poppy cultivation and cautioned that rule of law would be applied against violators.
The delegation then lauded the earnest efforts of the government to curb poppy plantation in the state.
The team also put forward a proposal to the CM which included engaging agriculture-oriented departments to identify suitable area-specific crops/fruits as alternatives to poppy plantation and providing awareness on the ill effects of poppy plantation and use of drugs among others.
It may be mentioned that earlier the Poumai Naga Union had also submitted a resolution to the Chief Minister declaring Poumai areas as drug free zones and their commitment to stand strongly against poppy plantation.
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