AR shows no sloth in poppy plant elimination mission
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 22, 2011:
The Narcotic Control Bureau, Regional Unit, as well Assam Rifles authorities today turned down failure of the mission to eliminate poppy plants at Singda range.
NCB authority said that it was abandoned due to "security reasons" while AR authority refuted the report saying that no reluctance was shown by the AR in the entire process considering the good cause of the mission.
In the clarification note of the NCB, Imphal unit signed by its superintendent RK Ibungosana that the team returned back from the spot of destruction due to security reasons.
"In no way the Assam Rifles personnel are involved in calling off the programme.
They always helped out team, ready to co-operate in future programme also," Ibungosana clarified.
A statement of the PIB (DW) Imphal, .reacting to the report "Mission to Destroy Poppy Plants Fails" published in Hueiyen Lanpao today said that it was factually incorrect one.
The Army and the Assam Rifles along with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in the past, have joined hands to ensure common goal of a "Drug Free Manipur".
There have been numerous operations carried out to destroy poppy cultivation.
One such case was reported in the article "Rs 4.26 Cr worth Poppy destroyed" published in Hueiyen Lanpao on Jan 15 last.
In this case, NCB had approached the Red Shield Division on Jan 19, requesting for security coverage in the destruction of the poppy cultivation.
The Army immediately consented to do the same and a patrol of 26 Assam Rifle was detailed for escorting and provided security to the NCB officials.
Yesterday also a search was carried out the whole day in the areas as indicated by the NCB officials.
No poppy cultivation was seen through the binoculars as claimed in the article.
It was decided, both by the patrol and the NCB officials that the search could continue in other areas, as was done in the past, the statement said.
No reluctance was shown by Assam Rifles in the entire process considering the good cause of the mission the statement reiterated observing that the facts as reported in the article convey a resistance by 26 Assam Rifles to assist the NCB in poppy destruction.