WOD: K Ranjit prodding conscience of MLA colleagues
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 16, 2023 -

As Sugnu MLA K Ranjit is known for his forthrightness, whether it is during debates inside the assembly hall or at the public platform, there must be solid reasons why he casts aspersions on the sincerity and resolve of some of his MLA colleagues in combatting the menace of poppy plantation in the state.

From speaking at election campaign and countering government policies during assembly sessions as an opposition legislator to berating the opponents while he was a minister in the erstwhile O Ibobi government, Ranjit's speeches are usually dominated by humour blended with scathing remarks against the administration as well as unnamed individuals.

While it obvious that not everybody would endorse his brand of making fun of others and some would naturally hold grudge against him for his outspoken nature but there seems to be some substance with regard to observation that lack of effort and sincerity on the part of the elected people's representatives is one of the reasons for the "War on Drugs" (WoD) campaign yet to yield the desired result even after over four years of the campaign's launch by the present government.

Accepted that complete eradication of the poppy menace would be a time-consuming and exhaustive campaign as is evident from seemingly never-ending detection of poppy cultivations in the remote hill areas, however, there is no doubt that such illegal practice could be curbed to a great extent in case MLAs elected from assembly constituencies where poppy plantations are widespread, shoulder the responsibility to make arrangement for alternative means of livelihood of his/her electors.

As there had been periodical references to poverty by certain MLAs and ministers as one of the factors for the villagers resorting to poppy cultivation rather than outright condemnation against such evil practices, MLA Ranjit has every reason to doubt resolve of his MLA colleagues in ending the social malaise and instead of sympathising with plight of the poppy planters.

Sharing his opinion on the anti-drug campaign at a meeting held in connection with the 'war on drugs' on Saturday, MLA Ranjit emphasised on collective efforts from all the MLAs rather than leaving it to the law enforcement agencies to put an end to the poppy menace.

Ironically, his clarion call, seemingly aimed at prodding conscience of the legislators who had endorsed a resolution adopted in the last assembly session, came at a time when varied quantities of opium are being seized across the state, thereby indicating that opium continue to be extracted years after launch of the poppy destruction drives.

Taking into account of the fact that poppy cultivation sites are mostly located in hostile terrain, Ranjit's observation that the campaign would fructify within a month if all the 60 MLAs are sincere and committed seems infeasible.

However, his contention that poppy crops are mostly planted in Chandel, Senapati, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts and MLAs from these areas are aware of the same tantamount to questioning morality of the legislators, and will hopefully inspire the latter to prevent poppy plantation at their personal level rather than playing the poverty card with an eye on keeping their vote banks intact.