70 pc of people In hills against narcotics dregs: CM
Poumaii community backs 'war on drugs' mission of government, submits declaration
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 07 2022: While appreciating the decision taken to make the Poumai community inhabited area drug free zone and not to plant poppy in support of 'War on Drug' mission of the government, chief minister N Biren Singh has said that the resolution taken by the community was encouraging and historic.

There have been instances of villages coming out in support of the War on Drug 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, stated N Biren while addressing Poumai Naga leaders who called on him on Saturday and submitted community's declaration against drugs.

A large delegation of Poumai tribe led by Karong MLA J Kumo Sha and comprising Poumai Naga Union president D Dailord Pao, Poumai Naga Women's Union president P Delilah Pao and other CSO leaders met CM Biren on Saturday and submitted the resolution declaring Poumai areas as drug free zone.

The decision to declare Poumai areas as Drug Free and anti-poppy plantation zone was adopted in a general body meeting held on April 28.Speaking to media persons after receiving Poumai community's declaration, N Biren expressed his heartfelt appreciation over their stand and maintained that government alone cannot do anything, without the support of the masses.

Stressing that there are also indications that other communities will join the fight soon, the chief minister said that any success gained in the movement will be for the public and not for the government.

The government acts as only the driver, he added.

The chief minister further appealed to all communities and tribes to join the movement and reiterated his earlier stand that there will be no compromise on the issue of illegal drugs.

He also said that people involved in the drug business in the valley should understand that the drug menace is detrimental to future of the society and should put a stop to any illegal drug related businesses.

Almost 70 percent of the people in the hills have come out to support the movement to eradicate drugs, the chief minister said and called upon those involved in illegal drug business, encouraging poppy plantation, drug peddling to young students in the valley to cease operation.

Karong MLA J Kumo Sha appre -ciated the resolution of the Poumai community as the largest tribe of Senapati district to support the chief minister's initiative of War on Drugs and termed the tribe's decision as the 'wisest decision of the union and the people'.

While appreciating the chief minister's War on Drugs initiatives, Kumo Sha said that there is no one who says drug is good, and further appreciated and congratulated leaders of the tribe for taking the resolution.

Other leaders of the tribe also expressed hope that other communities and tribes will follow and join the fight to eradicate drugs from the state.

In his address, United Naga Council former president Paul Leo said that people have responsibility towards making the society drug free and stressed that declaration alone is not enough as we have to spread awareness among the villagers as well.

The resolution submitted to CM Biren stated that the office of the Poumai Naga Union, PNU, Senapati District, Manipur in recognition of CM's initiative on War on Drugs, the Poumai Naga Union, PNU, hereby adopt that after a threadbare discussion about the importance of preserving, conserving our forest land resources and in the larger interest of the people and its future, the House has resolved to curb and control the plantation of poppy or any other forms of drugs in the Poumai Naga Area and its jurisdiction.

"Henceforth, the House unanimously declared the Poumai Naga Union and its jurisdiction drug free zone on this day, the 28th April, 2022," the resolution added.

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