New Tusom takes stand against poppy plantation
Villagers in panic as pest infestation affects production of 'Yongchak'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 22 2022: The denizens of New Tusom, a small village located 84 km from Ukhrul district headquarters near the border with Myanmar, have imposed a self-restriction against weed or poppy plantation in the area.

The main produce of the village is 'Yongchak', also known as stinky beans.

However, recent infestation by an unidentified insect has left the villages in panic and as such, the villagers have sought the attention of the government and relevant authorities to look into the matter.

The village has around 350 households and is predominantly inhabited by Tangkhul community.

The village is located closely to the Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar no 129 and could be considered as one of the few villages safeguarding the bor der.

Meanwhile, 11 km from the said border pillar is the Somra village of Myanmar, which is also predominantly inhabited by Tangkhul community.

As both villages are located closely to each other, people on either side help one another and if a trade centre were to be set up in the area, it would be more beneficial, New Tusom Khul Village Development Council chairman Graceson M Vashum conveyed to The People's Chronicle.

M Vashum then said that Yongchak is the main produce of the village, with the annual revenue generated estimated to be around Rs 1 crore.

If the government extends additional support, the stinky beans could be made available all year round, he claimed, while recalling that as the village had organised Yongchak Festival in 2019 government's support in further expansion of the festival would be welcomed by the villagers.

Unfortunately, some unknown insects have infested the Yongchak trees in the past few years, which in turn, is likely to threaten the livelihood of the villagers.

Thus, he appealed to the government to look into the matter and help alleviate the impending suffering of the villagers.

Vashum then informed that the village has taken a unanimous decision to restrict weed or poppy plantation in the area.

Anyone found violating this joint decision will be banished from the village permanently.

The village welcomes the government's campaign against drugs, he added.

Stating that the village has reared Eroi (buffaloes) since time immemorial, the chairman said that the village is able to survive because of the buffaloes.

Although the buffaloes are used in agriculture-related activities, they are allowed to roam freely most of the time and a committee was formed for their protection.

However, there is the need to put up barb wire fencing to prevent the buffaloes from straying from the safety of the village, he said and urged the government to look into this matter as well.

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