Influx, poppy cultivation peace time menaces in state
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 09, 2023 -

TAKING into account of the fact that there have been frequent instances of non-locals pulled up for non-possession of Inner tine Permits and continuous detection of poppy plantations in nearly all the hill districts, it could be safely assumed that these problems are outcome of stability in law-and-order situation in the state and possible dereliction of duty by the authorities concerned.

Some years back Manipur found space and slot in national dailies and news channels only when there were major insurgency-related incidents consequently projecting the state as a hostile part of the country.

Apart from a handful of denizens from mainland states coming to Manipur on business trip or official assignment, the only other non-natives visible in the state used to be migrant workers who either came in search of livelihood fully aware of the risky situation here or were hired by local contractors with an eye on cutting labour cost.

However, with the gradual return of peace in the state coupled with improvement in both surface and air connectivity, there has been notable increase in the number of migrant workers as well as tourists.

While re-introduction of the ILP system technically eased the formalities for the tourists as they only have to possess valid permit that guarantees them hassle-free enjoyment of the state's limited tourism destination, it is the relentless influx of migrant workers and sporadic cases of detection of illegal emigrants which have practically rendered the ILP regime ineffective for the demand of ILP proponents was to check the burgeoning population of outsiders so as to uphold interests of the indigenes.

The arrest of 14 denizens of Bihar on Tuesday right in the heart of the state is not only hard evidence about the ILP system serving no or little purpose but also exposes the fact that the law enforcement personnel manning the entry/exit gates in the inter-state borders could not be trusted.

No doubt, the arrested non-locals were reprimanded and slapped monetary fines for flouting the ILP rules but the manner in which such a large number of non-locals huddled in a truck managed to get through the various check gates along the highway stretch is questionable.

There is no foreseeable reason for non-detection of the non-locals at the first few checking points other than negligence of duty by those manning the gates or the men in uniform letting their guard down due to dissipation of the threat perception.

The same character of lacking alacrity among the security personnel deployed in the interior parts of the state could also be one of the factors for the gradual expansion of areas under poppy plantations in the hills.

Had these security personnel been on their toes, cared to strengthen the intelligence networks and carried out patrolling on regular basis, then it is quite possible that the poppy fields could have been spotted, especially taking into account that some of the poppy plantations destroyed so far were close to settlement areas.

Thus, it is suggested that the law enforcement personnel maintain constant vigil and survey the surrounding rather instead of living under the impression that the prevailing peaceful environment is an opportunity to take leave on rotational basis.