Govt urged to intimate home ministry on poppy menace
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 05 2023:
Expressing deep concern over widespread poppy plantations in the hill areas of the state ever since the state and Central governments signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with Kuki armed outfits, Khundrakpam Kendra Youths' Organisation (KHUKYO) has said that it will be right to furnish a detailed report in this regard to the Union home ministry.
In a statement, KHUKYO said that Kuki militant groups namely United People's Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) signed tripartite SoO agreement with the Government of India and Government of Manipur in 2008 .
Since the signing of the agreement, widespread poppy plantation in hill areas of the state started after clearing vast forest tracts and this has put Manipur on the drug trafficking map of the world now, KHUKYO said and stressed the need for submitting detailed report in this regard to the Centre.
According to KHUKYO, mass deforestation has not only affected development programmes being taken up by the government but also challenged the government's 'War on Drugs' campaign.
As the government cannot check the border areas all the time, illegal immigrants particularly from Myanmar continue to enter Manipur and occupy land of the indigenous people, it said and proposed for revoking SoO and drawing attention of the home ministry on the 'Poppy hills' in the state.
While stating that people armed with sophisticated weapon were seen guarding deforested areas for poppy plantation in the hills neighbouring Khundrakpam AC when its volunteers conducted a survey recently, KHUKYO appealed to the government to take up necessary action immediately.
It also appealed to the state government to draw attention of Union home minister Amit Shah, who is visiting the state, towards the widespread poppy plantation in the state.