Seized drugs burnt, Govt de-addiction centre opened
Next mission is to set up work sheds for widows to earn decent livelihood: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, June 26 2022: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Sunday inaugurated Anouba Mangai De-addiction Centre at Sunusiphai in Bishnupur district on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 2022 .

Anouba Mangai is the first de-addiction centre in the state which is directly run by the Social Welfare Department.

Later, N Biren disposed seized drugs worth Rs 205 crore in the domestic market and Rs 600 crore in the international market.

The seized drugs consisting of around 3000 kg of ganja, 14 kg of heroin, 20 kg of'ice drug' or crystal methamphetamine, 104 kg of WY tablets, 3482 kg of SP tablets and other illicit drugs were destroyed as Pre-trial and Post-trial Drug Disposal of Manipur Police at Sunusiphai.

The observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 2022 was jointly organised by the Department of Social Welfare and the Manipur Police Department.

Speaking on the occasion, CM N Biren noted that many unregistered rehabilitation centres are operating in the state without following proper guidelines or procedures as to how the inmates should be treated.

As such, the state government felt the need to come up with the government-run de-addiction centre.

Stating that drug addicts shouldn't be meted out physical punishment rather they should be given proper advice, the chief minister informed that staff members have been recruited to look after the centre considering the need to keep trained people for the same.

Maintaining that many communities had shown and extended support to the government's 'War on Drugs' campaign and took resolutions to uproot poppy plantation, N Biren expressed confidence that the state would be drug free soon.

CM Biren also recalled that the state government's 'War on Drugs' Campaign was started in November, 2018 with the aim to save the youth from ill effects of drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

He then informed that during the first term of his government, 1674 cases related to drug activities had been registered and 2104 people arrested.

Illegal drugs worth around Rs 321 crore in the domestic market were also seized.

He continued that 181 cases have been registered and 227 people arrested since the formation of his government for the second term.

Drugs worth around Rs 59 crore in the domestic market which would be around Rs 589 crore in the international market had also been seized.

Raising concern over the rising number of widows in the state and their hardship in running their families, N Biren disclosed that the government's next mission is to set up various work sheds where widows could take up certain productive activities to make their own living and run their families.

Ruing over rampant deforestation of state's forest and drying up of more and more water bodies, the CM also shared that plans are afoot for a Rs 1500 crore development project for rejuvenating of the Loktak Lake.

He also observed that waterlogging of roads is due to clogging of drains by dumping garbage and people need to realise this.

N Biren further announced that district wise 'Miyamgi Numit' will soon be held on 15 of every month where public can place their grievances to deputy commissioner and SP concerned.

Issues that cannot be solved by DCs and SPs will be solved at the state level, he assured.

On the other hand, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo, delivering his presidential address, cautioned that the state is in an alarming situation regarding drug consumption and its illicit trafficking.

The ill-effects of drug menace could be widely seen nowadays and as such the state government started its fight against drugs to save the future of our youth.

Seeking support of the public, NGOs, CSOs and meira paibi groups, he also stated that the efforts of the government alone would not be enough to overcome the drug menace without the involvement and cooperation of the public.

The minister also pointed out the ill effects and imbalances caused by poppy cultivation on soil and environment and particularly to the health of humans, while also informing that a helpline number for women have been opened.

During the programme, people of Sunusiphai submitted a memorandum to the chief minister which the latter assured to look into.

The demands highlighted in the memorandum include construction of playground under Khelo India, installation of street lamps along the road leading to the de-addiction centre from the main road and conservation of Thambal Houbi Kom among others.

Transport minister Khasim Vashum, Loktak Development Authority chairman Moirangthem Asnikumar, Moirang MLA Th Shanti, Thanga MLA Tongbram Robindro, Kumbi MLA S Premchandra, Keirao MLA L Rameshwor Meetei, Mayang Imphal MLA K Robindro, DGP P Doungel, additional chief secretary P Vaiphei, senior civil and police officials and officials of the Social Welfare Department also attended the event.

Comment