Stringent action only means to deter poppy growers
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 09, 2022 -

Chief minister N Biren's statement that almost 70 per cent of people in the hills have come out to support the government's campaign for eradicating the malaise of drug addiction and smuggling of narcotic items is a strong enough message that public and religious leaders of the remaining 30 per cent of the population must rethink over their inaction against such evil practices.

No doubt, the government of Manipur's 'war on drugs' mission has been generating positive response from different sections of the society as is evident from village authorities and civil society organisations extending support to the cause and making public declarations for total prohibition of poppy plantations in their respective areas.

However, it is notable that the villages, which have so far publicly extended support to the campaign, have no official record of involvement in poppy plantations.

On the contrary, village authorities, church bodies and organisations of areas where poppy cultivations have been destroyed by the law enforcement agencies are yet to take a clear stand on the matter, thereby leading to suspicion about covert support to growers of the main ingredient for heroin production.

Such obduracy to the impending threat to the society or defiance to the government's initiative of saving the younger generations from falling prey to drug abuse is also one of the factors for some concerned organisations demanding the establishment to declare poppy growers as outlaws and initiate stringent punitive actions.

Some organisations are also of the firm belief that any sort of leniency against the poppy growers will only abet criminal activities.

Amid the public outrage and concern over frequent reports of security forces seizing substantial quantities of opium, heroin and other narcotic drugs, it is commendable that the Poumai organisations and village authorities of Senapati district on Saturday submitted a declaration of the community to make areas under its jurisdiction drug free zone and not to plant poppy in support of the 'War on Drugs' mission.

The government definitely needs more such public support, especially from areas where poppy plantations are still in practice, to reap the fruit of its campaign.

As stated by chief minister N Biren, there have been instances of villages coming out in support of the 'War on Drugs' mission of the government but it is the first time that such a large community/tribe has come out and declared support to the mission, thereby indicating that large section of the society are willing to contribute their mite in tackling the drug menace.

Given the extent of economic dependence of farming communities in the hill area on opium plantation, there might be scepticism that the forced eradication being initiated by law enforcement agencies will destroy the livelihoods and incomes of many rural households.

However, it seems that a firm policy not to tolerate poppy cultivation and prompt destruction drive especially at the time of harvest season of poppy plantations remains the only option to shield the upcoming generation from the menace of rather than empathising with the hardships to be faced the recalcitrant poppy growers.

While some families might suffer and face debt, it is crystal clear that poppy eradication will not succeed if the government simply waits for positive response to its appeal as both investment and profit on/from poppy cultivation is quite high.