War on Drug: VA destroys poppy cultivation
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, March 29 2022:
The Tumuyon Khullen Village Authority has reportedly destroyed large scale poppy cultivation within its jurisdiction in support of the initiative of the Biren-led government's "War on Drugs" .
RK Lovingson, secretary, Tumuyon Khullen Village Authority Council, stated that the village authority along with the village's Youth Club in the past had destroyed all poppy plantations, worth around Rs 45-50 crore in international market.
The poppy fields spreading to about 10 hectares within their jurisdiction were destroyed 6 times consecutively that took 3-4 days.
Some tenants and outsiders had planted the poppies despite repeated warnings, he said.
The village secretary then assured the state government that they would continue to cooperate in the "War against Drugs" mission being carried out under the dynamic leadership of chief minister N Bi-ren in their jurisdiction and urged all to make the state free from drugs in order to save the future of the younger generation.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, in support of "War against Drugs," Tumuyong village chairman A Maraiba and secretary RK Lovingson stated that the village authority had organised sensitization mission against illegal plantation of poppy and the village authority in collaboration with the village Youth Club (TKYC) had destroyed poppy cultivation in large scale within their jurisdiction acting as an agent of the "War against Drugs" mission.
The village authority is reported to have been continuously conducting anti-poppy cultivation drive by mobilizing participation of youth, involving them in quality monitoring system through tours and adventure like foothill climbing at their own expenses.
The village also organised seminars on "War against Drugs" and press conference to fight against poppy plantation in collaboration with the village youth club.
The letter was handed over by the village chairman to the state chief minister through the DC, Kangpokpi.
Placards that read "Let's make our state free from Drugs", "Drug users kill their own selves", "Be proud of yourself and say no to drugs", "Don't let drugs keep you from your dreams", "Let's make a difference", etc., were put on display while coming to submit the letter.
DC Kengoo Zuringla expressed her happiness on witnessing what the villagers had been doing since the last 3-4 days and involving youth actively in the destruction to choose "Life over drugs".
The DC also lauded the village youth for such initiative and encouraged other villages to follow suit so that the lives of the youth are saved from the perils of drugs and also from many other diseases that can occur from use of narcotics and drugs.