In what could be termed as a rare and historic occasion, chief minister N Biren Singh led the leaders and representatives of 33 different communities residing in the State in taking a collective pledge to work together towards complete destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and checking illicit drug businesses.
The event known as ‘All Communities Convention for a Pledge Against Illegal Poppy Plantation’ was organised at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre by Meitei Leepun in association with the apex bodies of these 33 communities under the supervision of the chief minister.
The convention was held after people responded to the chief minister’s call to extend support and cooperation to the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign by taking part in the destruction of poppy cultivations.
Leaders and representatives of Kharam Tribe Union, Purum Tribe Union, Koireng Tribe Union, Thadou Inpi, Manipuri Gorkha Association, Kom Tribe Union, Chiru Tribe Union, Thangal Tribe Union, Maram Union, Mao Council, Poumai Tribe Union, Zemei Tribe Union, Anal Tangpi, Lamkang Kaver Kupun, Monshang Tribe Union, Moyon Tribe Union, Aimol Tribe Union, Tarao Tribe Union, Hmar Inpi, Paite People Council, Simte Tribe Union, Zou Tribe Union, Mizo People Convention, Vaiphei People Council, Gangte Tribe Union, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Mate Tribe Union, Maring Uparup, Zeme Tribe Union, Rongmei Tribe Union, Inpui Tribe Union, Liangmai Tribe Union and Chothe Tribe Union took part in the pledge.
The pledge that was administered to the gathering by MBC pastor reverend Zuankanmang Daimei was: “Onwards from this day, the February 25, 2021, in the presence of Almighty God and our beloved and visionary leader N Biren Singh, our chief minister, we solemnly pledge that we will support and contribute our best efforts to transform the War on Drugs to a people’s war. We further pledge we shall work for completely eradicating illegal poppy cultivation and other illicit drug businesses in any areas of our jurisdiction by any person from within or outside”.
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. Those who came from Senapati and Kangpokpi were received at Sekmai, Tamenglong and Noney at Khuman Lampak, Chandel and Tengnoupal at Thoubal, Ukhrul at Lamlai, Churachandpur and Pherzawl at Nambol Chingmang. They were escorted up to BOAT by RRM volunteers.
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. When he was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2002, the chief minister said, he moved a Private Member Resolution to forgive and forget the past mistakes and live together harmoniously by all the communities of the State. After he became the chief minister ‘Go to Hills’ was initiated to bring equal opportunities, and development was his first slogan, he added.
Maintaining that drugs and intoxicants had taken many lives, the chief minister said that there is need for a collective effort to uproot it. 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.
Mentioning that the present government had taken up various developmental works in the hills, the chief minister said that there is no household in Kamjong headquarters which do not get tap water.
Understanding people’s inconvenience, the government had started providing tap water in Tamenglong and Churachandpur district headquarters as well, he said.
Thangal Union president Kaping YK, Mizo People Convention General Secretary L Paul, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long president Hopingson Shimray and Joint Tribes Zeliangrong president Kenan Kamei also spoke at the convention. They vowed to extend full cooperation to the Government’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign.
The chief minister also had a candid interaction with the community leaders after the convention.
