Biren details drives against drug/liquor
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, March 31 2023: Chief minister N Biren has appealed to all concerned not to poison other fellow human beings while trying to life their lives.

He made the appeal during a press briefing held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat here on Friday.

Biren informed that on receiving an input about the illegal manufacturing of IMFL, a team of Khongjom PS, under the supervision of SP (Thoubal) Jogeshchandra Haobijam, conducted search operation at the residence of one Thokchom Bobo of Khongjom Maning Leikai.

During the search, certain items used for manufacturing of IMFL including chemicals were seized.

Three people namely Thokchom Bobo, Thokchom (O) Bino Devi and Thokchom (O) Achoubi Devi were arrested and an FIR has been registered, he added.

He continued that the alcohol spirit used in manufacturing the IMFL had been imported from Myanmar via a passenger van, claiming the liquor as petrol.

The flavour, sticker and bottle of the Rum were brought in from Guwahati and the cap from Kolkata, while white sugar was used as the colouring agent.

Samples of the illegally manufactured liquor have been sent outside the state for testing.

He expressed firm belief that the chemicals and the other items used in manufacturing the liquor are harmful and not fit for human consumption.

Strongly condemning such activities of causing serious health hazards to the people, the chief minister stated that such heinous acts could be taken as an attempt to murder.

He stressed the need for coordinated work of judiciary, executives and the people to stop unlawful activities and save the state from its ill-effects.

He then expressed the government's stand to take up actions against those involved in such activities, irrespective of communities and religions.

Regarding the ongoing 'War on Drugs' campaign in the state, CM Biren urged for concerted efforts in counsel ling drug users and bring them to rehabilitation centres so as to help them return to mainstream society, in stead of belittling and ill-treating them.

If needed, local clubs can take on the responsibility of opening rehabilitation centres in their respective localities, he said, while adding that the government will provide neces-sary support such as doctors, medicines and others in this regard.

The CM then said that the people along with various civil society organisations and student bodies have been extending support to the campaign.

The reason for this is finding young kids and even girls abusing drugs during anti-drug drives and the need for separate rehabilitation for this group.

Families should place importance in rehabilitating kids in their families who are using drugs, instead of hiding them away out of shame.

There are records of many dying because families decided reputation was more important than the life of their kids.

Thus, he urged parents/guardians, clubs and Meira Paibi members to refrain from belittling or carrying out mob justice on the drug users, but instead talk them into getting rehabilitated.

Biren then highlighted that under the first BJP government (2017-2022), around Rs 317.97 crore worth of drugs were seized.

Under BJP 2.0 (2022-23), Rs 136.93 crore worth of drugs were seized.

Around 14,359.4 acre of poppy cultivation and 20 acre of cannabis were destroyed under BJP 1.0 (2017-2022), while under BJP 2.0 (2022-23) 4305.1 acre of illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed.

Around 1960 people (1594 male, 366 female) were arrested with drugs during BJP 1.0 (2017-2022), while 720 (582 male, 138 female) arrested during BJP 2.0 (2022-23) .

Around Rs 122.78 crore of drugs were seized, 625 people (512 male, 113 female) ar rested with drugs and 3517.8 acre of poppy cultivation destroyed in 2022 alone.

For this year (2023), around Rs 25.36 crore of drugs have been seized, 165 people (132 male, 33 female) arrested with drugs in 175 cases and 787.3 acre of poppy cultivation destroyed till date.

He continued that around 116 individuals have been detained under PITNDPS Act since the government came to power.

Since January 1, 2020, 80 people including 16 village chiefs, 62 poppy cultivators and 2 investors have been arrested.

From 2017 till date, 44 people have been convicted, while 28 cases are ongoing.

Drones have been used to spray chemicals in a total area of 212 acre, which could not be accessed by the authorities, he conveyed.

CM Biren then appreciated the police and forest personnel and all the others who took part in the drives in dangerous locations and without rest.

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