Low rate of conviction peeves CADA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 26 2021:
As in other parts of the world, Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) observed International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) at its head office at Pureiromba Khongnang Makhong, Imphal East on Saturday.
In a release, information and publicity secretary Khundongbam Anand stated that the programme was attended by CADA president Hijam Priyokumar as functional president, Lamding Educated Welfare Association (LEWA) president Sorokhaibam Ojit as chief guest and CADA vice president Ningthoujam Doren as guest of honour.
Speaking at the programme, CADA general secretary Geetchandra Mangang noted that the government has launched various programmes and campaigns to stop the drug problem faced by the state but all of them remain on paper.
He, however, contended that though the present government has launched 'War on Drugs' campaign and there have been cases drug busts, the campaign has become joke due to low rate of convictions and political conspiracy/nex-us.
The 'Nisha Thadoklasi' programme announced by the chief minister N Biren on this day in 2018 has also been forgotten, it added.
CADA general secretary noted that State Drug Policy has been notified in official Gazette but till now it has not been enforced.
Even during the present pandemic, there have been frequent cases of drug seizures, so it is raises question on how much more it would have been in normal times.
Meanwhile, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking has appealed to people to stand united against drug abuse, while adding that it will soon launch a drug use prevention programme, a release by MSF secretary (Drug Affairs) said.