CADA raises posers on mass ganja plantation
Nupi Samaj warns of intense protest if government legalises sale of IMFL
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 03 2022:
With reference to a video uploaded on a Facebook page on Tuesday by a Manipur based web portal about the mass plantation of Ganja in a hill near Gotankot village under Kangpokpi district, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) expressed suspicion whether the government gave the approval for plantation of Ganja in the state, and demand clarification on the same by the government.
In a release, CADA publicity secretary Khundongbam Anand said that it would be very unfortunate for the people of the state if the video about mass Ganja plantation is true.
Ganja plantation is prohibited in the state under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act 1985, he pointed out and enquired whether the government consented to plantation of Ganja in Gotankot to a Delhi based company.
While stating that drugs worth crores of rupees are being seized frequently but the real owner of the seized drugs have never been arrested and even some alleged drug businessmen were set free in suspicious manner, Anand continued that in-spite of 'War on drugs' campaign launched by the government the problem of drug menace and the number of addicts do not decrease.
Despite the government prohibiting manufacturing and sale of liquor under Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991, IMFL, foreign liquor and DIC are available openly in every part of the state and some are even marketing alcoholic beverages with labels, the secretary maintained.
Accusing the government of remaining blind on this matter, Anand also expressed surprise that the government is trying to legalise liquor instead of strengthening the prohibition Act.
Meanwhile, Nupi Samaj has cautioned of launching intense protest if the government forcefully legalise sale of IMFL and manufacturing of liquor in the state for exporting without considering the future of the state.
Speaking to media persons at its office located at Lamphel on Wednesday, Nupi Samaj president Thokchom Ramani noted that the government is launching 'War on drugs' campaign to eradicate addictive substances and liquor is among the substances.
As many men and youth have died due to excessive consumption of alcohol, widows are facing tremendous problems, she said, while adding that liquor is easily available in the state though it is a dry state and prohibited under Liquor Prohibition Act.
Effective implementation of the Act can surely prohibit liquor in the state, she opined and suggested that the government should not think only for money by risking the lives of youth.
The government should never let the enormous efforts of womenfolk of the land for preventing addictive substances go to waste.
The women of the land will launch intense protest even before completion of assembly session if the government neglects the issue.
As Manipur has been drastically affected by liquor even during prohibition, the government should critically ponder over the possible situation of the state if production and sale liquor is legalised, she added.