Social Welfare scripts a first with Anouba Mangal De-addiction Centre
Drugs worth Rs 205 crore disposed
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 26 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated a de-addiction centre 'Anouba Mangal' run by the Social Welfare Department on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 2022 at Sunusiphai, Bishnupur, today and disposed of drug items worth Rs 205 crore in the international market.

Anouba Mangal De-addiction Centre is the first de-addiction centre in the State which is directly run by the Social Welfare Department.

The Chief Minister disposed the drug items-around 3000 kg of ganja, 14 kg of heroin, 20 kg of ice drug aka crystal methamphetamine, 104 kg of WY tablets, 3482 kg of SP tablets and other illegal drugs as pre and post-trial drug disposal of Manipur Police at Sunusiphai.

The programme on International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 2022 was jointly organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Police Department, Manipur.

Social Welfare scripts a first with Anouba Mangal De-addiction Centre

On the occasion, N Biren Singh stated that there are many unregistered rehabilitation centres in the State which operate without following any proper guideline or procedure and treat the inmates harshly.

Stating that addicts shouldn't be treated harshly by those who run de-addiction centres but give them good advice to recover from addiction, the Chief Minister maintained that the Government has already recruited trained staff for the newly inaugurated centre.

N Biren recalled that the State Government's War on Drugs campaign was launched in November, 2018 to save the youth.

Informing that drug worth around Rs 321 crore was seized in the first term of his Government and 2104 persons arrested in drug related cases, N Biren maintained that the Government has managed to register 181 drug related cases in its second term including arrest of 227 persons and seizure of drugs worth around around Rs 589 crore in the international market (Rs 59 crore in the domestic market) .

Maintaining that many communities had extended support to the War on Drugs campaign and agreed to uproot poppy plantation, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the State would be free from drug menace soon.

Expressing concern on the rise of number of widows in the State due to drug menace, the Chief Minister said that the Government will set up various work sheds where widows could work to make ends meet for their families.

He urged the public to support the welfare works being taken up by the Government for the State to progress.

Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, while delivering his presidential address, cautioned that the rate of drug abuse and trafficking in the State is alarming.

Saying that the Government launched War on Drugs to save the youth from falling victim to addiction, the Minister sought support from all to overcome the drug menace.

The Government alone couldn't defeat the problems of drug misuse besieging the State, he added.

He also stressed on the ill effects of poppy cultivation on soil, environment and public health.

During the programme, people of Sunusiphai submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the latter assured to look into the matter including construction of a playground under Khelo India, installation of street lamps at the road stretch leading to the de-addiction centre from the main road and conservation of Thambal Houbi Kom among others.

Transport Minister Vashum, Chairman of Loktak Development Authority Moirangthem Asnikumar, MLAs Th Shanti, Tongbram Robindro, S Premchandra, L Rameshwor Meetei, K Robindro, Director General of Police P Doungel, Additional Chief Secretary P Vaiphei, senior civil and police officials and officials of the Social Welfare Department also attended the programme.