Scythe poppies to end crisis, narco-terrorism: Maheshwar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 07 2023: With defence minister Rajnath Singh assuring to extend all possible help, destruction of illegal poppy plants in the hill areas should be accorded top priority by the state government in order to flush out Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from the soil of Manipur which in turn will help resolved the current crisis, said RPI-Athawale national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam.

Speaking at a public discourse held under the theme 'Let's fight against Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists and illegal immigrants' at Hao Ground, Chingamathak Pishum, Imphal on Saturday, as one of the presidium members, Maheshwar disclosed that he is visiting different parts of the state to meet public and political leaders to protect territory of Manipur and Meetei community, as a Meetei civilian but not as a politician.

All the MLAs in both ruling and opposition love Manipur but they are bound by the ideologies and principles of their respective parties.

Despite the bounds of their organisations, they must be doing everything they could.

However, considering the gravity of the situation, it is high time for them to come out from the boundaries of their political parties and join hands with the people for the single cause of protecting the state, he maintained at the discourse organised by Coordinating Committee against the Action of Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist and Illegal Immigrants.

The gathering also adopted resolutions to support every step taken up by the committee and Maheshwar against illegal poppy cultivation; and submission of a memorandum along with the resolutions to the chief minister.

Continuing his address, Maheshwar said that he had never used the privilege of being the national secretary of RPI-A in meeting central political leaders.

This is not the time to play politics and those in the opposition should also know this and apprise the ground situation and root causes of the crisis to their central leaders, he said.

Recalling the assurance given by defence minister Rajnath Singh for using Indian Air Force and his subsequent conveyance of order issued to IAF for destroying illegal poppy plantations, Maheshwar stressed the need for proactive coordination between NCB and state home department.

Destroying illegal poppy cultivation would be the first step towards rooting out the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from the soil of the state, he said and also emphasised on amending the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (MLR&LR) Act to ensure equal land holding rights to people of all communities in the state.

Maheshwar further said that he is returning to Imphal for the sole purpose of attending the public discourse and to meet the chief minister.

He will discuss the response of defence minister Rajnath Singh with the CM and urge him to take up necessary actions towards this end.

After that, he will leave Imphal and continue his campaign to tell the truth behind the Manipur crisis to the rest of the country.

He also appealed to the Meetei community to stand united by remembering that others will take advantage of any disunity in the community.

Advocate Khaidem Mani, retired sessions judge A Noutuneshwari, retired IPS P Sonamani, committee co-convenor Maibam Benubala were also present among others at the discourse.

Later, Maheshwar met CM Biren at the latter's official residence, during which the CM assured to destroy all the illegal poppy plants before harvesting.

Informing this to media after the meeting, Maheshwar said that the CM was also aware of the assurance made by the union defence minister and informed him about the formation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on September 23 .

The CM also showed the reports of the ANTF and plans to utilise choppers of IAF to destroy the poppy plants while adding that harvesting season for poppy is in November and December, he added.

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