Liangmai bodies take anti-drug stand
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, May 12 2022:
Joint Tribe Council (JTC) & Joint Tribe Students' Association (JTSA) on behalf of the four cognate tribes of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme on Thursday submitted a declaration to Chief Minister N Biren, supporting the state government's War on Drugs campaign by declaring 'Drug and Poppy Free Zone'.
The declaration reads, "The indigenous four cognate tribes of Inpui, Laingmai, Rongmei and Zeme had never practiced poppy plantation nor been involved with any kind of illegal drugs since time immemorial.
Following the sincere and righteous footsteps of our forefathers, the four cognate tribes reiterate our stand against illegal drugs and poppy plantation".
The joint tribes also resolved to continue preserving and conserving the unadulterated forests, its resources and give life a valuable living.
Addressing the media in this regard, chief minister N Biren appreciated the Joint Tribe Council & Joint Tribe Students' Association (JTSA) for their support to the government, particularly in its fight against drugs, in the wider interest of the people.
Stating that Manipur had been facing problems of drugs related activities, which are detrimental to future generations, he maintained that his government started the War on Drugs campaign to uproot the ill effect of drug menace from the state.
Highlighting harmful effect of poppy cultivation on the environment including deforestation, degradation of soil fertility and pollution of water, he appealed to all those involved in drugs related activities to stop the same and come out in support of the campaign.
He informed that mass campaign had been started by meeting locals of different villages to spread awareness among the people about the ill effects of poppy plantation.
The CM also informed that a meeting of officials from different departments including forest and police was held to discuss about encroachment of land in Reserved Forest and Protected Forest areas of the state.
DFOs have been instructed to ensure that no deforestation activities are carried out in Reserved and Protected Forest areas, he said and further advised them to take action against any person involved in poppy plantation by registering FIR and also to start carrying out afforestation activities.
Informing that the government had received reports of sub-letting government quarters by some employees, who have been allocated quarters in their names, he appealed to stop such activity and also warned that action would be initiated against those government employees involved in such activities.
Speaking about the recent operation taken on using flag post on vehicles, the chief minister stressed that the operation had been taken up to check misuse of flag post vehicles in carrying out illegal activities.
Representatives of the Joint Tribe Council (JTC) conveyed decision taken to stand against illegal drugs and poppy plantations after consultation with villagers, while keeping in view of the future of the state.
Expressing hope that the War on Drugs mission would be successful and the state would become a drug free zone one day, the JTC appealed to all communities in the state to join hands and stand together for putting an end to the drug menace.
Hill Areas Committee chairman MLA Dinganglung Gangmei and Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei also attended the press conference.