CM relishes using drones in destroying poppies
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 19 2023:
While claiming that utilisation of drones for spraying herbicides to destroy poppy plants in around 200 acres have yielded success and majority of the poppy plantations have dried up, chief minister N Biren Singh said that no poppy seeds could be harvested for plantation next year.
Addressing media persons at Thambal Shanglen, here, on Thursday, CM Biren said that Saikul area, western side of Koubru hill range, western side of Thangjing hill range and Sajik Tampak area are affected by widespread poppy plantation.
As it was unfavourable for police personnel to hold sword and destroy poppy plants grown in sloppy hills, three drones were utilised for the first time to spray herbicides approved by scientists.
Herbicides were sprayed over around 96 acres in Churachandpur and 70 acres in Saikul on Wednesday alone and drones will be utilised again in these areas in the last week of March this year to sow tree seeds.
Though drones will continue to be utilised for destroying poppy plants in sloppy and high hills, police personnel will use sword, cutter and sprayer to destroy poppy plants grown in low areas, he said and strongly called for ending poppy plantation and drug problem in the state within this year.
Regarding alternative arrangement made for poppy growers, the chief minister maintained that farmers need not worry as seeds of different crops worth more than Rs 7 crore had already been distributed.
Government is not against Jhum cultivation but had to act strongly against poppy plantation after some people had taken up the plantation intentionally, he said and maintained that his government will not compromise on poppy plantation and arrest relating to drug trafficking.
According to CM Biren, his government has firm commitment to end poppy plantation and drug problem and no one including family members or relatives involved in drug business will be spared.
Instead of appreciating police for arresting police personnel involved in drug trafficking, some people threaten police officials and this matter could figure in the state assembly, he said.
The chief minister further said that his government has been working towards minimising medical treatment outside the state and highly advanced cardiology unit will be opened at JNIMS in consultation with American experts.
He also said that government is working towards preventing water problem and pipeline laying work from Chingkhei Ching is going on in full swing.
While recalling issues discussed during the BJP national executive meet he had attended on Wednesday, CM Biren said the meet approved extension of BJP national president JP Nadda's tenure till the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
He said that India has changed significantly from 2014 and the PM Modi led government has managed to make India a global leader in eight years.
India's economy is now ranked 3/4th in the World though it was in 8th position before BJP came to power, he said, adding that separatist mindset among people of Jammu & Kashmir ended with the abrogation of Article 370.In view of changing mindset of global people towards India under PM Modi's governance, India is hosting G20 summit and Manipur too would be hosting one/two sessions of the summit including a business session at City Convention Centre, CM Biren said and appealed to people of the state to accord warm welcome to foreign delegates.
Comment
