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Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 9 (EMN): Two days after Poumai tribe declared its area as a drug-free zone, a delegation of the Tangkhul tribe led by key functionaries of Tangkhul civil society organisations (CSOs) announced its support for the chief minister’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign.
The announcement was made in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his official bungalow in Imphal on Monday evening.
Vice president of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), an apex body of the Tangkhul community, presidents of Tangkhul Shanao Long (women body), Tangkhul Headmen Association, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (student body) and Phungyar MLA, L Keishing were also present during the occasion.
Chief Minister Biren Singh appreciated the courage and decision taken by the Tangkhul community and their commitment to eradicate poppy plantation.
He said that it was a historic moment as the government alone cannot do anything without the support of the masses and urged the remaining communities and tribes in the state to join the movement and reiterated his earlier stand that there will be no compromise on the issue of illegal drugs.
The people involved in the drug business in the state should understand that the drug menace is detrimental to the future of our society and put a stop to any illegal drug related businesses, he added.
Leaders of various organisations present during the occasion also expressed their stand on the plantation of opium poppy and initiatives taken for long term corrective measures.
During a consultation in Ukhrul on May 5, the joint forum of the state agencies, CSOs, faith based organisations, non-governmental organisations, media fraternity and social activist took serious note of the escalating opium poppy plantation in Kamjong and Ukhrul district and reaffirmed their position and commitment to support the chief minister’s declaration of War on Drugs.
The joint forum declared that cultivation of opium poppy is contra-life and reminded the public that living with it is ‘an abnormal state of life’.
Opium poppy cultivation is against humanity, against the purpose of creation, against the indigenous principles and illegal as per Indian rule of laws, it said.
The joint forum appealed to the farmers not to opt for opium poppy cultivation and cautioned that the rule of law will be applied against violators and all the government welfare schemes and benefits shall be barred from the household who do not comply with the appeal.
On May 7, representatives of Poumai Naga Union, the apex body of the Poumais in Manipur submitted a resolution to announce the Poumai inhabited areas as drug/poppy free region to the chief minister.