Tangkhul civil society organisations under the banner of apex Tangkhul Naga Long and Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long joined hands with the state government’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign and took a strong resolution not to allow any poppy plantation in Ukhrul district areas.
The decision to this effect was taken during a one-day ‘Consultation workshop on Alternative Livelihood for the Poppy Cultivated Areas of Ukhrul district’ held on Monday at DRDA hall, mini secretariat complex.
The participants comprising Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Kuki INPI Ukhrul, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, and Hunphun Katamnao Long in the presence of state commissioner Devesh Deval, DC and SP Ukhrul, and various state officers took out a procession rally at around 7pm. They pledged to support the chief minister’s call for the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign by participating in the destruction of poppy plantations.
(PHOTO: IFP)
The ‘Walk Against Drugs’ procession was taken out from Mini Secretariat to ZEO office Ukhrul.
Making public their decision, the Tangkhul CSOs and TNWL reaffirmed that they unanimously resolved to impose a strict ban on poppy plantations in the community.
“The water from hills flows down to the valley and will not return back to hills, therefore, both Manipur's valleys and hills must join hands together and root out poppy and other drugs from our state,” they maintained.
The CSOs urged the state government and the authorities concerned to provide an ‘Alternative Sustainable Livelihood’ to the right beneficiaries i.e. the poppy growers.
Moderated by Chunglenmang, ADM Ukhrul, the programme began with prayer by reverend Somi Kasomwoshi, pastor Ukhrul Town baptist while reverend Remember Rimai, pastor Union Baptist church invoked the closing prayer.