UTBC, AVACA back War on Drugs campaign
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, March 26 2023:
War on Drugs continues to garner support from the people as Ukhrul Town Baptist Church (UTBC) and All Vangai Area Chief Association (AVACA) too declared its support to the campaign of the State to control drug menace.
This is the first time, where the whole UTBC congregation declared its support to the fight against drug menace particularly in Ukhrul district.
Rev Somi Kasomwoshi, Pastor of UTBC, proclaimed this commitment before the congregation on Sunday by administering a pledge during the morning worship service programme.
At the programme, the Pastor said that UTBC will extend full support to the initiative of the Government to make Manipur free of the drug menace.
According to him, UTBC has already started a door to door campaign to help the families affected by drug abuse.
Rev Somi maintained that the Church doesn't accept tithe from any illegal source.
"The disturbance and destruction to God's creation is against the will of God.
Humans are just stewards of this beautiful world," he added.
The Pastor further stated that it is the responsibility of the Church to advocate and educate people about healthy living and conserve the environment.
Assuring that UTBC will take the lead role and act as a media mission centre to disseminate and spread information about the ill effects of drug menace to other Churches in Tangkhul areas, the Pastor maintained that a youth crusade of UTBC has also been instituted to help people living in desperation.
The youth crusaders will organise an awareness campaign, poster campaign, workshop and orientation in the district, he informed.
He went on to state that UTBC will work sincerely to eliminate poppy cultivation through biblical context.
Meanwhile All Vangai Area Chief Association (AVACA) has also taken a pledge to support the War on Drugs campaign to eliminate poppy cultivation from the soil of Manipur.
AVACA conveyed its support to the fight against drug menace by submitting a letter of support to Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
A joint statement signed by AVACA chairman Ch Lalengmawia and general secretary of All Vangai Area Chief & Village Authority Association Tuankhangmang Guite appealed to all the citizens to join the campaign and 'fight for our future generation' .
Saying that drug culture must be uprooted to save the youth of every community, it maintained that there will be a healthier society when all people support the campaign of the Government.
Opining that promotion of organic farming can prevent poppy cultivation, the statement maintained that the Government may consider conducting training programmes on plantation of other crops.
Pherzawl is the largest producer of ginger in Manipur, it said and appealed to the Government to help the farmers of the district in marketing ginger.