Imphal, December 20 2008: THE THIRD anniversary of All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA) was celebrated with a grand function held at the ground of Ningthoukhong Boys' High School in Bishnupur district today.

Manipur assembly Speaker Dr S Budhichan-dra was the chief guest, MLA K Govindas, former Union Minister Th Chaoba, ex-MLA Dr M Nara and president of All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation (AM-DO) Anwari Noorjahan were guests of honour.

AMADA president L Tomba presided over the function of which the theme was "Let's save our identity from drugs" .

Laishram Ongbi Shila of Keishamthong Irom Pukhri Mapan, mother of Chinglenkhomba, who was mercilessly killed by a drug addict just for the two ear-rings he was wearing and Takhellambam Ongbi Ibechaobi of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, mother of Momocha, who was also brutally killed by a drug addict just for his two ear-rings, were special guests.

Speaker Dr S Budhichandra said, drugs like heroin (No.4) were being constantly smuggled into Manipur, which happened to be a border state, from Myanmar and other south east Asian countries.

All these drugs were destroying the youths of Manipur day by day.

Manipur is one of six states in India which have been most affected by drugs, and nearly 30% of the total population of Manipur were affected by HIV/AIDS, he said.

Pointing out that drugs and other intoxicants had destroyed the lives of a number of thoughtful youths, officers and talented sports persons, Dr Budhichadra affirmed that at such critical juncture, the AMADA came out with the pledge of protecting the society of Manipur which is quite timely.

He further said that drugs and other intoxicants can never be eradicated from Manipur just by punishing the drug sellers and users.

Launching awareness programmes on how much drugs and narcotic substances can destroy human life was out paramount importance, he said.

Th Chaoba said during the days of monarchy in Manipur, permission used to be given to a few particular places for brewing alcohol.

In those days, people of Manipur had never seen heroin (No.4), not to say of having heard even the name itself.

But after Manipur's merger with India, huge supply of drugs and other narcotic substances had been smuggled into Manipur.

The government has failed to stop brewing of liquor.

Now, most of the people of the state were addicted to alcohol, he said.

Chaoba further said that Manipur Liquors Prohibition Act, 1991 passed during RK Ranbir's period and which has not been amended till today allows certain Kabui villages to brew alcohol and supply of alcohol for the armed personnel from outside Manipur.

Because of these provisions in the Act, complete prohibition of alcohol in Manipur has not been able to be implemented.

When the movement of Nisha-bandh was active, prohibition of selling and consuming alcohol could be implemented to certain degree.

But since AFSPA 1958 was imposed in 1980 in Manipur, the movement of Nisha-bandh has turned towards fighting human rights violations by security forces.

Meanwhile, movement against alcohol had gradually died down, Chaoba said.

Dr M Nara said since the liquor prohibition Act has not been properly implemented in Manipur, AMADA took birth.

Just by fighting drugs and alcohol should not be the aim of AMADA.

Let AMADA also pay attention to the phenomenon of corruption prevailing in the state.

Let us also try to stop the candidates in Moirang by-election from wooing the electorate by scooping up alcohol from the tank and serving them.

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