Bike rally flagged off on Intl Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Dip in drug trafficking after WoD : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2024: Manipur has been witnessing a decline in drug abuse and illicit trafficking cases since the commencement of the War on Drugs campaign, said Chief Minister Singh today after flagging off a bike rally as part of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking from CM's Secretariat.

Speaking to the media by the sideline, N Biren continued that the areas of poppy plantations in the State have also decreased by about 50-60 per cent as per a report culled from satellite mapping.

Saying that a movement (Nasha Mukt Bharat) is also underway to make India a drug free Nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that collective effort is needed to address the issue of drug menace and leave behind a better Manipur for the future generations.

Bike rally flagged off on Intl Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Over 100 security personnel took part in the bike rally which was jointly organised by Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) and Manipur Police Department under the theme "The Evidence is Clear.

Invest in Prevention" .

Saying that the Government has been able to bust many drug manufacturing units and arrest people associated with drug business with the support of the people, the Chief Minister added that the Government has also destroyed a large tract of poppy plantations in both hill and valley districts.

Further stating that the figure of drug addicts and cases of HIV infections rose exponentially in Manipur during the 1990s, N Biren maintained that the State still is not free from the drug menace.

The State Government launched the War on Drugs campaign in 2018 against poppy plantation and drug trafficking given the threat it poses to the future of the State, the Chief Minister said and added that the Police Department have seized drug and narcotic substances worth crores of rupees as part of the campaign in the last five-six years.

Maintaining that Manipur is being used as a transit route to smuggle drugs and narcotic substances easily as the State lies close to the infamous Golden Triangle, the Chief Minister added that the Government nonetheless has been able to tackle the problem to some extent with the help of State police and Central forces.

The police have been cracking down on drug smugglers, the Chief Minister said.

Giving the credit of the success of the War on Drugs campaign to the people and civil society organisations, he added that the Government alone cannot do anything without the support of the people.

Appealing to the people to understand the social impact of drug abuse, N Biren said that he takes people who engage in drug business and plant poppies as enemies of human society.

He concluded his speech by appealing to the people to stand together against drug abuse and make Manipur a drug free State.

The flag off ceremony was also attended by Ministers, Member of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and other high ranking police officials among others.

The Social Welfare Department also observed the day at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) at Palace Compound.

Addressing the event, Social Welfare Minister H Dingo spoke about the mushrooming of rehabilitation centres in Manipur which he said is concerning.

He also said that drug use not only affects the individuals and their families but also the society at large.

Saying that holding an awareness programme on the ill effects of drug use at schools, colleges and local clubs will go a long way in solving the problem of drug menace and make the society healthy, the Minister sought support from every Manipuri to make Manipur a developed and peaceful State.

At Moreh, a rally was taken out in observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the supervision of Md Salauddin, Officer in-charge, Moreh police station.

The rally was flagged off from Moreh police station.

Some police personnel also took part in the rally.