Considering the alarming rise in the rate of drug menace in Manipur, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba on Sunday urged the womenfolk of Manipur to strengthen the culture of having “Meira Paibi” in every locality activating their energies, courage to combat drug menace in the state which existed at one point of time.
The MP was speaking at the Mayai Kaba Chinzakki Mayokta Mitkap Thokpa Numit event observed under the theme “Share Drug Facts to Save Lives” at GM Hall on Sunday. The programme was organised by the Kanglei People against Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Kanglei PANAS).
Addressing the function as chief guest, Leishemba said that Manipur society is going backward in many spheres when observed minutely.
The society is hugely impacted by relentless increase of drug issues and the recent report of NITI Aayog has stated that the fertility rate of Manipur has reduced to 1.7 per cent, which is a serious threat of disappearing Manipuri society after three to four generations, the MP noted.
He further said that drug or substance abuse is one of the main factors causing infertility issues amongst male and females. As such, it is high time that every individual extends their support like a “warrior” to uproot the drug issue, he added.
The drug issue in the state is so severe that time has come for every civil voluntary organisation or association to give priority to this issue as fighting drugs is more or less similar to saving the humane race, the MP stated.
Presenting keynote address, general secretary of Kanglei PANAS, Wahaj Fundrei said that they have been launching various movements to uproot the drug issue from the state for a long time. Most of the volunteers of Kanglei PANAS are members of an association which was defunct for some years called the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association.
He further said that at one point of time, they had faced a lot of challenges while launching a movement against drug abuse. This had caused them to halt their services for some years. Seeing the present government’s interest in combating drug menace, they had reformed again with an expectation that they would get moral support from the state government to control the menace, he said.
Other dignitaries who attended the function were MLA of Kshetrigao Constituency, Sheikh Noorul Hassan; chief editor of Pandam, Maisnam Shivadutta Luwang and president, Kanglei PANAS.
