Mao declares support to 'War on Drugs'
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 26 2022: The 'War on Drugs' mission of the government under the initiative of Chief Minister N Biren Singh continues to gamer more public support as people of Mao declared their support to the mission on Thursday.

Leaders of Mao Council, Mao Students' Association, Mao Naga Women s Welfare Organisation, village chiefs and Senapati District Contractors' Association led by Mao MLA Losii Dikho met CM N Biren and declared their solidarity and support to the War on Drugs mission.

Flanked by minister Letpao Haokip, MLA L Dikho and the civil leaders, the CM conducted a press conference in this regard at the Durbar Hall on Thursday.

Expressing gratitude for the huge public support to the war on drugs mission, the Chief Minister said that it is a positive sign for the whole state and not just for the 'War on Drugs' mission that we can feel an emotional attachment, oneness among the people of the state irrespective of community.

The Chief Minister also expressed his happiness on getting the voluntary support from Mao Council and others against poppy plantation, illegal drug business and drug abuse.

He said "we are certain of the mission's success as the ' involvement of the public is very important".

Biren also lauded the Mao Students' Union and Mao Youth Organisation for their initiative to organise Cherry tree plantation drive for Green Highway & Road Safety Mission from Makhan Khuman to Mao Gate along the NH-2.He then informed that a mass tree plantation drive would be carried out in Kangpokpi area with the aim of bringing about a green Manipur.

Stressing further that only when people are united, we can face any challenge, the Chief Minister said that there seem to be some interference from outsiders trying to create division among the indigenous communities of the state.

He appealed to the people of the state not to be influenced by such external influences, while urging the people of Churachandpur and Senapati districts not to be sad over the absence of a minister, adding that he will work to fulfil all aspirations of the people as the minister in-charge of the two districts.

MLA L Dikho lauded the Mao CSOs for extending support to CM Biren's 'War on Drugs' campaign.

Meanwhile, the civil leaders also declared their support to the government and further welcomed the 'War on Drugs' initiative for a drug free society.

Mao Students' Union president Marikho O' Leriina, while showing support to the government, stated that the union along with others is conducting a "Plant a tree with us" mission, with the main objective of reducing the impact of air pollution and dust by planting Cherry trees along the National Highway.

In all, 900 volunteers will take part in planting 10,000 cherry saplings, he said, adding that this will act as a natural sink for air pollutants and arrest soil erosion from the hill slopes and serve as a road safety measure and crash barrier from accidents.

Mao Council noted that instances of bandh and blockade in the state have gone down in the state under the CM Biren-led BJP government and assured of extending all support to the CM's 'War on Drugs' campaign, so as to make Mao a drug-free area.

Mao Naga Women's Welfare Organisation assured of extending all possible help to the state government so as to make Mao drug-free, while appreciating the CM for constructing a Mao women-only temporary market in Imphal, adding that the women to come to Imphal to sell their produces.

It may be mentioned here that the Mao Council and others also submitted a resolution to the Chief Minister.

The resolution says that the Mao Council and its subordinate organisations convened a consultative meeting on May 20 in solidarity with the CM's declaration for 'War on Drugs' and further resolved to vigorously extend logistic support to the leadership of Chief Minister Biren in his endeavour to eradicate drugs from the state and to completely ban any form of drugs within the jurisdiction of Mao.

The House had also resolved to penalise defaulters including for poppy plantation, opium smuggling, trafficking, etc., including paying a fine of Rs 1 lakh; village to village mobilisation shall be initiated, and regular monitoring of the same to be conducted.

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