Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 12 (EMN): After the two biggest Naga tribes in Manipur, Poumai and Tangkhul, announced to support the government’s initiative of ‘War on Drugs,’ the Joint Tribe Council (JTC) of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme on Thursday declared their areas as “Drug and Poppy-free zone”.
The decision to announce their stand was made by leaders of JTC and Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA) on behalf of the four cognate tribes in the presence of the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his official bungalow in Imphal on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Singh appreciated the JTC and JTSA for giving support to the government at all times, particularly in its fight against drugs, in the wider interest of the people.
Stressing on the harmful effect of poppy cultivation on the environment including deforestation, degradation of soil fertility and pollution of water, he appealed to all those carrying out drugs related activities to stop it and come out in support of the War on Drugs campaign.
He further informed that mass campaigns had been started by meeting locals of different villages to provide awareness to the people about the ill effects of poppy plantation.
The chief minister also informed a meeting of concerned officials from different departments including Forest and Police about the encroachment of land at reserve forest and protected forest areas of the state and instructed DFOs to ensure that no deforestation activities take place and also to submit their survey reports within two months.
Representatives of the JTC expressed the decision to stand against illegal drugs and poppy plantations after consultation with villagers, taking concern for the future of the state.
Expressing hope that the War on Drugs campaign would be successful and the state would become a drug-free zone one day, the JTC appealed to all communities of the state to join hands and stand together to uproot drug menace from the state.
Chairman of Hill Areas Committee and MLA for Nungba, Dinganglung Gangmei and MLA for Tamenglong, Janghemlung Panmei also attended the gathering.