Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the state’s ‘War on Drugs 2.0’ have witnessed a massive success with security forces having seized illegal drugs worth over Rs 182 crore in the international market and arrested as many as 140 drug traffickers since March 20.
The Chief Minister was speaking to the media during a press conference held at his official residence on Wednesday.
He said that with the formation of the new government, the state has witnessed massive success in the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign. It is learnt that of the total 140 drug traffickers arrested 120 are men and 20 are women.
Those arrested traffickers include international drug kingpins most of whom are serving a jail term for 14-15 years, he said.
The CM further said that the security forces also destroyed a total 380 acres of poppy cultivation within the two months period.
He said that the most encouraging part of the campaign is that many communities residing in the state, particularly in the hill areas have voluntarily joined.
On May 6, the Poumai tribe, the second-largest tribe of the Nagas in Manipur, declared all the areas under them as drug-free zone and to stand against poppy plantations, CM Biren said.
This was followed by, by the Tangkhul Naga, Inpui, Liangmai, Ronmei, Zeme tribes among others, he said.
“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 (Paoyi) 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.
CM Biren further informed said that as many as 719.25 kgs of contraband Ganja, 940 grams of Brown Sugar, 18.7555 kgs of Heroin Powder, 87 kgs of WY Tablets (Methamphetamine), and 20 kgs of Crystal Ice (Methamphetamine) will be disposed of at the earliest. “The authority concerned has acquired permission from the court to dispose of the seized drugs”, he said.
The chief minister said on receiving information about the presence of illegal occupants and anti-socials even in the police barracks, an operation was conducted in which altogether 34 employees have been suspended.
He also said a special drive has been initiated to check the number of vehicles allocated to Ministers, MLAs and all officials including the head of departments, and to take over additional vehicles found in their possession.
CM Biren also issued a strong warning against any police officer found utilising men in uniform beyond their assigned official duties at their residences. An officer was suspended after he was found engaging a man in uniform for his household chore during a sudden raid at different locations. “I condemn and cannot tolerate such excesses”, he warned.
