Gorkhas rally against drug menace
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, January 22 2023: Hundreds of Gorkhas across the State took out a bike cum light motor vehicle rally, supporting the War on Drugs 2.0 campaign of the Government in Kangpokpi, today.

The rally was organized under the theme, "Stop Poppy Plantation, Save Forests, Save Manipur" by Manipur Gorkha Joint Coordination Committee in collaboration with the Gorkha civil bodies, villagelevel clubs, women's society and authority boards against poppy cultivation.

Meanwhile, it is reported that unknown miscreants damaged the rear glass of one of the vehicles taking part in the rally somewhere near Chawangkining with a catapult.

Kangpokpi police personnel immediately rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

No casualties were reported.

The Manipur Gorkha Joint Coordination Committee is formed by Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, Ne Sahityaitiya Parishad Manipur, Bharatiya Gorkha Parishang Manipur Branch and All Manipur Gorkha Ex-Service-men Association.

The rally was flagged off by Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo from Kanglatongbi.

Speaking to media persons, H Dingo said that the rally organised by the Gorkhas will surely encourage the people to support the War on Drugs initiative and continued that a collective effort is needed to eradicate poppy plantations and all forms of drug menace from the State.

He also said that the campaign taken up to eradicate drug menace must not be looked at from a political viewpoint.

Saying that a particular political party making a critical remark against the 'sincere' initiative of the BJP Government is rather unfortunate, H Dingo continued that co-operation and positive suggestion from Opposition is needed to make any undertakings of the Government successfill.

The rally headed towards Saraswati Junior High School at Parsain village and the participants held an awareness seminar.

From there, they went to Upper Kalapahar and conducted another seminar.

From Upper Kalapahar, Additional SP (Ops) Kangpokpi, Tholu Rocky flagged off the rally towards IT Road (Twilang) along Imphal-Tamenglong road at Kangpokpi Town.

Speaking to the media, president of All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, LB Adhikari said that the rally cum awareness programme was organised to show their support to the War on Drugs campaign.

He appealed to the people particularly the Gorkhas of Manipur to never take part in poppy cultivation or any other contraband businesses.

The rally also reached Kanglatongbi in Imphal West and Charhajare, Motbung, Koubru Leikha, Prasain, Toribari, Maohing Nepali, Harup Khopi, Gorkha Tapon, Panikheti, Irang Part-I, and Poudel Basti in Kangpokpi district.

The organiser extended its gratitude to Kangpokpi DC, SPs of Imphal West and Kangpokpi, Officers in charge of Sekmai.

and Kangpokpi, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi, KSO Sadar Hills, TSA Sadar Hills, Liangmei Naga Council Eastern Zone, All Liangmai Naga Students Union Manipur for making the rally a success.

From Kangpokpi District Headquarters, the rally was divided into two groups.

While team A moved towards Tujang Vaichong from Chawangkining via Gorkha Tapon and Naga Tapon along the Inter Village Road connecting Chawangkining and Tujang Vaichong Sub Divisional Headquarters, Team B took the State's oldest highway IT Road till Thonglang village and moved towards Indira Junior High School at Irang Part-1 via Inter Village Road connecting Thonglang and Irang Part-I.Awareness programmes were also held at Kalapahar, Gorkha Tapon UJB School, Irang Part-11, and Indira Junior High School at Irang Part-L The two rally teams met again at Indira Junior High School at Irang Part-I and they proceeded towards Kanglatongbi via IT Road.

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