Chief Minister N Biren said that with the formation of the new government, the State has witnessed tremendous success in the War on Drugs campaign. He said that since April 20, the State has been able to seize illegal drugs worth Rs. 182, 29, 43,000 in the international market and at the same time destroyed 380 acres of poppy cultivation in the State.
He also credited the general public for all the achievements and development in the government’s War on Drugs campaign, saying without the untiring support and positive response of the public, the government alone couldn’t have achieved all the success.
Flanked by Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar and DGP P. Doungel, the Chief Minister conducted a press briefing on Wednesday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to highlight specific issues.
The Chief Minister said that due to incessant rains in the last few days, the State is facing issues like floods in Jiribam, and landslides in some areas, but the government is fully prepared for any eventuality. He explained that the government is monitoring the situation 24X7, and required relief is being provided through the concerned DCs. Stating that this is a seasonal occurrence, he urged the people to face the natural calamities together.
Biren further appealed to the people of the State to ensure that the drainage around their homes wasn’t clogged.
He said that what is even more encouraging for the campaign is that on May 6, the Poumai tribe, the second-largest tribe of the Nagas in Manipur, declared its areas a drug-free zone and stood against poppy plantations. On May 9, leaders and CSOs of the largest Naga tribe, Tangkhul submitted a resolution to support War on Drugs and to stand against poppy plantations, he added.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the resolutions supporting the War on Drugs campaign submitted by different CSOs including Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme tribes on May 12, village chiefs of Saikul AC, Tengnoupal, and Chandel on May 14.
Citing reports of destroying illegal drugs by youth and womenfolk in the valley, the Chief Minister said that the momentum against drugs is also building up in the valley area.
Today we can see support and cooperation from almost all communities residing in the State, he said, adding that for the first time in February 2021, in support of the War on Drugs, a village in Ukhrul, Peh Village voluntarily destroyed poppy cultivation in their area, for which the village was rewarded with Rs. 10 lakh. Now we have received reports that the villagers have already started alternative cropping and some plantations like ginger have already begun production, he added.
All these are encouraging, the Chief Minister said, thanking everyone for their support and at the same time expressing hope that the collective campaign will start bearing fruit in the nearest future.
Regarding the arrest of so-called drug kingpins in the State, the Chief Minister said that several drug traffickers have been arrested and named a few including one Monkhai (19) from Myanmar. He said that anyone convicted and lodged in jail for 14-15 years in drug-related cases is a kingpin.
Further highlighting the State’s achievement in regards to War on Drugs, the Chief Minister said that altogether 719.25 kg of contraband Ganja, 940 gram of Brown Sugar, 18.7555 kg of Heroin Powder, 87 kg of WY Tablets (Methamphetamine), and 20 kg of Crystal Ice (Methamphetamine) will be disposed of at the earliest.