In support of the war on drugs programme initiated by the state government, the Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman (ELNCCA) Association and Ahangrok Chief Chairman Association have resolved to ban poppy plantation and cultivation in Liangmai Naga-inhabited areas under Kangpokpi and Senapati districts with immediate effect.
The state government is appealed to widely publish the details of alternative livelihood that can be made available from different departments for the poppy farmers to wean them away from engaging in poppy plantation for their livelihoods, the two bodies stated in a joint release issued on Saturday.
Also Read: Whittling away in the poppy fields
The ELNCCA in its consultative meeting held on October 13 at Green Tree Academy, Makhan unanimously took the resolution to ban poppy cultivation. In the meeting, the Liangmai bodies resolved that no portion of land or forest shall be allowed to carry out or leased out to anyone for the purpose of poppy plantation in Liangmai areas, it stated.
Also Read: The money trail
ELNCCA reiterated its stand that the Liangmai community in the area will continue to support the ‘War on Drugs’ programme initiated by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. It appreciated the initiative of the superintendent of police Kangpokpi district Karthik Malladi to combat the menace of illegal drugs and narcotics substances smuggling and its cultivation in the district.
Such initiatives will usher in a better and responsible society in the district and to Manipur state as a whole, it added.