Indigenes urged to fight drug menace, protect land
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 02 2023:
Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) advisor Nongthombam Rajendro has stated that if the drug issue and the disappearance of arable lands are not dealt with, the indigenous populace of the state will have a hard time in the future.
A one-day awareness programme on drugs and alcohol under the theme of "Eikhoi punna nisagi mayokta leplasi (Let's all stand firm against drugs)" was jointly organised by Matik Mangal Village Level Federation, Yumnam Khunou; Gold Star Club, Yumnam Khunou; Students Club, Yumnam Khunou; Women Empowerment Association; Women Welfare Association; Lainingthou Puthiba Seva Committee, Awang Singlup, Makha Singlup; and Sagolmang, police station at Yumnam Khunou community hall on Sunday.
Taking part in the programme, N Rajendro further said that Manipur is overwhelmed with outsiders, leaving the indigenous population with almost no place of their own.
Many arable/agricultural lands in the state are disappearing at an alarming rate, making it difficult to leave a sustainable future for the future generations.
Thus, he urged all concerned not to sell or transfer land to outsiders in the interest of the future generations, adding that selling land to outsiders has become the crux of the problem.
He then pointed out that mass deforestation and poppy cultivation in the hill districts has affect the valley too.
Thus, there is the need to support the 'War on Drugs' campaign launched by the government of Manipur.
Aside from the ill-effects of drugs and deforestation, there is also the need to address the issue of water shortage and put an end to man-made bushfires, he maintained.
Presided over by Puthiba Seva Committee, Yumnam Khunou president Ningthoujam Kerani Singh, the programme was also attended by Haraorok Tangkham gram Panchayat pradhan Leishangthem Kullachandra Singh as chief guest and Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission District Mission manager Basanta Naoshram as guest of honour.
Social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram and Sagolmang police station's second in-charge officer Md Imitiyaz Khan were present as special guests.