33 COMMUNITIES OF MANIPUR PLEDGE TO END POPPY PLANTATIONS

IMPHAL, FEBRUARY 25, 2021
33 different communities of Manipur took a collective pledge to work together towards complete destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and checking illicit drug businesses in the state.

‘All Communities Convention for a Pledge Against Illegal Poppy Plantation’ was organized at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre by Meitei Leepun in association with the apex bodies of these 33 communities under the supervision of the Chief Ministe Biren Singh.

The pledge that was administered to the gathering by MBC Pastor Rev. Zuankanmang Daimei.

It is said that some participants left their villages on February 23 to reach Imphal today to take part in the convention. Volunteers of Royal Riders Manipur received the participants at different locations of Imphal east and imphal west.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that he was moved by the people’s overwhelming response to his appeal for a collective fight against drugs and poppy plantation. He said that the convention was a historic event and it would be remembered forever.

Maintaining that drugs and intoxicants had taken many lives, the Chief Minister said that there is need for a collective effort to uproot it. Shri N. Biren Singh assured that the Government would definitely give alternative livelihood to all the poppy growers. For this, the Chief Minister informed, required funds had been earmarked in the Budget and additional assistance would also be sought from the Centre. Needy poppy growers would be identified in consultation with the Village Chiefs to provide assistance through the DCs concerned under different Government schemes, he added.

Thangal Union president Shri Kaping YK, Mizo People Convention General Secretary Shri L. Paul, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long president Hopingson Shimray and Joint Tribes Zeliangrong president Shri Kenan Kamei also spoke at the convention. They vowed to extend full cooperation to the Government’s initiative on Drugs’ campaign.