Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19:
With completion of its first year of existence for the cause of fighting against the menace of drug and alcoholism tomorrow, All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) has send its best wishes and appealed to the people for overlooking any of the mistakes or inconveniences it might have committed unwittingly during the cause of drive for making Manipur a healthy and drug free State.
Talking to mediapersons on the eve of its first anniversary at the Keishampat AMADA head office today, AMADA president L Tomba recalled AMADA was established on December 20 last year with the main objective of saving the lives of the people, specially the youngsters from falling into the jaws of death through drug abuse and alcoholism.
A series of programmes being organised by AMADA in different parts of the State since November 26 in connection with its Ist anniversary would be culminated tomorrow by organising a function at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Palace Compound here yesterday with titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba as chief guest, Tomba informed.
In this regard, he also fervently appealed to all the social organisations and NGOs not to call any bandh or blockade tomorrow so as to ensure participation of people in the anniversary function.
On the achievements made so far, Tomba said since its inception AMADA has succeeded in rounded up in all 1635 male and 665 female who are in the business of brewing or selling illicit liquors during the course of drives launched at different parts of the State apart from seizing illicit liquors and other materials used in brewing worth Rs 63,62,277.So far AMADA has set up four district councils and 77 local councils and units in different parts of the State to intensify the ongoing drive.
As part of its campaign, AMADA had also organised a 10-day long cycle rally covering five different districts of the State in connection with the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2006 from July 21 to 26.Maintaining that the main objective of AMADA is not simply to target those people who are consuming, brewing and selling harmful liquors, Tomba said that many people have been persuaded to give such harmful habits and business for the sake of saving the Manipuri society for degradation.
Many women who were earlier into this business have been rehabilitated with financial assistance for taking up alternative works for generating income like weaving, he claimed, adding that a young boy of 13-year of age and studying in class VII who was used by his own poor mother in trafficking liquor too help in continuation of his study.
Moreover, after AMADA came into existence the problem of drug abuse and alcoholism in Manipur society has come down, he said, while taking serious the incidents in which AMADA volunteers who have been rendering a great service to the society have been targeted during the drive launched in some areas.