Receives threats for war on drugs mission: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 03 2023: Stating that War on Drugs campaign is no more a frivolous matter, chief minister N Biren revealed that even he receives death threat on social media from one Henglouthen.

The CM made the disclosure during the last day of the 3rd session of the 12th Manipur Leg islative Assembly on Friday while responding to a calling attention motion moved by Congress MLA Okram Surjakumar regarding the VDF jawan from Thoubal district, who went missing during a poppy destruction operation.

In his response, the CM said that the police department is investigating the case from different angles including possibilities of involvement of drug kingpins.

NIA and NCB teams are also involved in the search operation and to facilitate coordination with Myanmar authority.

War on Drugs is a serious issue and he too received death threat via social media, Biren reiterated and confided MPS officer Amarjit has been assigned to conduct enquiry into the incident following an order from the DGP issued on January 21.The government is also exploring other strategies to intensify the search operation.

Assam Rifles had also made communication with Myanmarese authority to look out for the missing VDF jawan, he said, while praying that the missing VDF jawan remains alive and healthy.

The chief minister also informed that the government is using satellite and drone mapping for proper identification of illegal poppy plantations as drug cartels are resorting to mixed cropping by planting poppy plants among pea to hide them from drones and satellite imagery.

Even though the government is identifying poppy farms and destroying them, the cartels are making attempts to continue their business in more remote areas.

The government can produce a whitepaper on the extent of the operation anytime, he said.

While informing the House that government takes the drug issue very seriously, CM Biren said that steps have been taken up to establish special court of NDPS so as to expedite trials of drug related cases while shortage of judges will be filled up after consulting with the high court.

Drones are helping identification of poppy cultivated areas in remote areas of the state, he said, adding that one UAV worth Rs 80 lakh equipped with high-tech camera and more flying time has arrived and it will boost identification of poppy cultivated areas.

Biren also said that there are reports of drug cartels operating illegal drug factories.

Most of them operate from Myanmar and border areas, and are mostly from China and Myanmar.

There is porous border measuring 398 km, which is being used by drug cartels for cross border drug trafficking.

Those arrested often got released on bail and the police department put its best efforts for re-arresting them, he said while emphasising the need for concerted effort from legislature, judiciary and executive in order to curb the drug menace.

In his government's War on Drugs 2.0, more than 300 individuals involved in drug trades have been arrested.

There are accessibility challenges in destroying illegal poppy farms in remote areas, which is why the government is using drones to spray herbicides for destroying the poppy plants and the measure is proving effective.

Due to the relentless efforts of the government, the War on Drugs has become a public movement, with villagers in hill areas participating in large numbers in destroying poppy plants, Biren acknowledged while urging for support from all the legislators irrespective of being in the ruling or opposition benches.

The CM further said that the government welcomes suggestions to make the War on Drugs more effective.

Regarding the operation, during which the VDF jawan went missing, the CM said that N Premananda spent the night along with his colleagues in the Assam Rifle's temporary camp.

Soon after he was reported missing, four security teams launched search in the morning of January 22 .

They also tried to trace his phone but the phone was found switched off.

The search operation continued for several days under the leadership of MPS officers Okram Mongkhomba and Amarjit.

On January 25, his escorts suggested some possible locations, and a joint team of 8th Bn MR and 13 AR continued the search operation by involving some local villagers.

On January 28 too, DSP (Ops) of Tengnoupal district continued the search operation.

The VDF jawan's younger brother lodged a complaint at Chakpikarong PS on January 29 .

Further search operations were carried out in Sajik Tampak area on January 30 and 31.Moreover, additional forces have been despatched in the last couple of days, he said, adding that the search operation will continue.

While moving his motion, MLA Surjakumar said that it has been 13 days since Ningombam Premananda of Thoubal Okram went missing.

He was reported missing on the intervening night of January 20 and 21 .

Had the government launched the search operation from the same night itself, he might have been found, or even if not, his family members and public would have felt satisfied.

The way the case was handled could become a factor of discouraging the security personnel from further involvement in such operation, he observed and expressed possibilities of VDF jawan taken across the border.

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