Govt advised to recruit 'warriors' for War on Drugs mission
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 26 2022: Endorsing the War on Drugs mission of the state government launched under the supervision of chief minister N Biren, Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur general secretary senior advocate Khaidem Mani has stressed the need for setting up 'War on Drugs Warriors' by recruiting around 10 to 20 thousand unemployed youths on remuneration.

Addressing a press meet at his Loklaobung residence, here, on Monday, Khaidem Mani said that the War on Drugs mission is indeed a good initiative of the government and need of the hour.

However, it would need another step forward in order to make it effective in fighting the challenges confronting the society related to the issue of drugs.

Just using a couple of hundreds of police personnel armed with sticks to destroy illegal poppy plantations will not be enough.

For a more effective approach, the government could recruit around 10 to 20 thousand unemployed youths as 'War on Drugs Warrior' with some remuneration by earmarking a certain fund in the budget, he suggested.

The former chairman of Manipur Human Rights Commission also said that the present Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act has some procedural defects which merit discussion and necessary amendment to simplify the process and enhance the penalties, Mani said.

Regarding the boundary row in Dzuko Valley, Mani advised the government not to take the issue lightly but find an amicable solution through political dialogues.

The government could even bring in the Centre if the talks between the two states fail to bring a consensus.

It cannot be left to Mao and Southern Angami people alone as it will not bring any good results, he maintained.

While emphasising that the Manipur government let Nagaland government know how political maps show two-third of the valley area inside the territory of Manipur and mount pressure for declaring their stand on it, he also said that a legal course could be adopted if the government continues to ignore or stall the matter.

On the other hand, Mani said that the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur has elected its new office bearers, after the demise of its former general secretary professor L Sadananda, in a general body meeting held at Singjamei Chongtham Leikai.

The GB also condoled the death and injury of teachers, warden and students of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok in an unfortunate road accident earlier this month.

A two-minute silence was observed in honour of the departed souls.

Floral tributes were also paid to the portraits of departed leaders of the Society, like Laisom Lalit, professor L Sadananda, H Yaima, Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam and others.

The GB meeting elected Nepram Bihari, Md Alimuddin (retired assistant professor), senior advocate Khaidem Mani and ex-minister Dr M Nara as the president, vice-president (minority), general secretary and coordinator respectively.

Retired colonel K Achouba & ex-MLA RK Anand have been elected as secretaries, Salam Yaima as treasurer, and Potsangbam Sonamani, former law secretary A Sukumar & Dr Badaruddin as executive members, he added.

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