Anti-drugs campaign held at Hongmahn village
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang
Ukhrul, September 27 2022:
Continuing the anti-drug campaign, a two-day awareness campaign and consultation on drug abuse and poppy plantation was held at Hongmahn Baptist Church on September 26 and 27 .
The 8th awareness campaign and consultation on drug abuse and poppy plantation was organised for four villages of Khaurui area and eight Tangkhul churches in Imphal.
It was spearheaded by Baptist Churches Forum, Ukhrul and Khaurui Churches Fellowship in coordination with Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long and NGOs working on the issue.
Wungreiso Shangh from FXB NGO chaired the discussion hour wherein the participants deliberated on the drug misuse situation in the neighbourhood and ways to keep children and teens from falling into the trap of addiction, as well as how they can and should aid people who are already addicted to drugs.
Tangkhul Shanao Long general secretary Yungsemla Vashi, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long president Somatai Machinao, Tangkhul Shanao Long Imphal president Philazan Vashum, and many other participants shared about the ground reality, strategies and ways for drug abuse prevention and care.
During the campaign, a committee for the region comprising four villages and eight churches based in Imphal was constituted to carry forward the suggested steps for prevention, other intervention, and the pressing need to fight and stop the drug menace.
UTBCI president has been appointed as its convener, and presidents of Tangkhul People Organisation, Tangkhul Shanao Long Imphal, Tangkhul Katamnao Long Imphal, Khaurui Churches Fellowship, headmen of Hongmahn, Mapao Zingsho & Mapao Zingtun as its members.
Subsequently, the committee was endorsed to spearhead the campaign against drug abuse and initiate various steps for fighting against drug abuse in the area.
The campaign closed with concluding remark, note of thanks, highlights of the ongoing journey and way forward of the campaign by the chairman of Baptist Churches Forum Ukhrul reverend Remember Rimai and a prayer led by Khaurui Churches Fellowship president reverend Ngamlei Zimik.
Among those who attended the event were 114 leaders including headmen and village authority members from four villages, pastors and church leaders from 12 churches, representative from seven Civil Society Organizations including Tangkhul People's Organisation Imphal, Tangkhul Katamnao Long Imphal, Tangkhul Shanao Long Imphal, women leaders and youth leaders from the four villages and eight Tangkhul churches in Imphal.