Hundreds of Gorkhas from across Manipur participated in a bike rally on Sunday in Kangpokpi district organised in support of the government's 'War on Drugs 2.0' campaign.
The rally was organised under the theme, "Stop Poppy Plantation, Save Forests, Save Manipur" by Manipur Gorkha Joint Coordination Committee in collaboration with the state-level Gorkha civil bodies, village-level clubs, women's society, and authority boards to give a strong and powerful message to eradicate the menacing poppy cultivation.
Minister Heikham Dingo formally flagged off the Gorkha's mega Bike and Light Motor Vehicle Rally at Kanglatongbi at 8 am in the presence of Meena Bista, Pradhan Kangatongbi, Hari Prasad Nepal, and LB Adhikari, convenor and co-convenor of the Manipur Gorkha Joint Coordination Committee apart from more than 300 Light Motor Vehicle including bike rally participants.
Minister Heikham Dingo said that the initiative of the Gorkha people in organising the mega rally is appreciated as it will definitely spread a strong message to the people towards the success of the Government's War on Drugs.
He also said that when the people of Manipur, irrespective of communities, come together and fight collectively the issues of poppy and other drugs issues will be eradicated in the state.
Speaking to the media, the President of the All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, LB Adhikari, who is also the Co-Convenor of the Manipur Gorkha Joint Coordination Committee, said that the rally cum awareness program has been organized to show their full support towards Chief Minister N Biren Singh's initiative "War on Drugs" as the Gorkha people in the state considered that being responsible citizens of the state our primary responsibility is to support our chief minister for such a worthy initiative.
He continued that the rally was organized under the theme, “Stop Poppy Cultivation, Save Forests, and Save Manipur” while adding that we would like to spread a strong and powerful message to the people of Manipur through the rally to stop once and for all and let's save our beautiful state.
Meanwhile, unknown miscreants reportedly damaged the back windshield of one vehicle at the rally around 100 metres away from Chawangkining using Catapult/slings while the rally teams were moving towards Irang areas.
Kangpokpi police personnel immediately rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. No human injury was reported in the incident.
