Shiv Sena Manipur unit president M Tombi on Thursday said that illegal Myanmarese nationals crossed the territorial boundary to avoid facing capital punishment in Myanmar and started poppy cultivation in Manipur.
Tombi, who is also convenor of Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA), was addressing the media on Thursday at its state head office, Babupara. He said that the practice of poppy cultivation came from Myanmar. From their influence, some locals also started following the practice of illegal poppy cultivation in the remote hilly areas in Manipur, he added.
To cultivate illegal poppy plants for their vested interests, the dense forests in hills are cut down and people of the state are facing the outcome of environmental impact, he said. Most of the dense forest areas are decreasing in the border areas of the state, he further said, adding that Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) and state Shiv Sena unit are in support of the ‘War on Drugs’ initiative launched by the present government.
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Tombi said the party also welcomes the deploying of highway patrol vehicles along the national highways of Manipur. Had the present CM was appointed earlier, then the lives of many drivers would have been saved, he added.
He further said that individuals or organisations should stop imposing indefinite bandh and blockades along the national highways as essential commodities which are being imported in the state are meant for the bandh and blockade supporters as well.
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Tombi said that MDA and state Shiv Sena will be supporting the campaign of the state government to plant 75 lakh tree saplings. He further appealed to the people to stop deforestation for the next 50 years.
He further said that the state police department and authority concerned should take necessary action against illegal liquor vendors opened in the heart of the city near Raj Bhavan. Tombi said police should book those drug peddlers located in the city area and illegal liquor vendors besides actions taken in connection with ‘War on drugs’.
