Newmai News Network
Senapati | October 8
Poppy plantations have come to threaten the very fabrics of society, said Manipur police chief LM Khoute. The Director General of Police (DGP) was addressing an awareness campaign against illicit poppy plantations. The programme was held in Senapati district on Tuesday.
The one-day awareness programme against illicit poppy cultivation was jointly organised by the Manipur police and the Senapati district administration.
In his speech at the programme, the DGP articulated the need for collaborative action to combat the menace of illicit poppy plantation in the state. He dwelt on the problems in the state caused by "uncontrolled" poppy plantations and the adverse impact it has on the society at large.
The police officer said that when he was young poppy plantation was almost unheard in the state. "But in the last few decades the perils of poppy plantation have come to threaten the every fabrics of society", he added.
According to him, the state government is very serious in confronting the menace of poppy plantation. The police officer then underlined the need for the police and other law enforcing agencies to convey a strong and unified message to root out the menace.
Taking part in the programme, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest of Manipur, Kereilhouvi Angami noted that the plantation of poppy not only fuels the problem of drug abuse but also causes adverse ecological impacts. He lamented that the practice of poppy plantation, if not dealt urgently, poses one of the greatest challenges to the survival of society.
At the technical session of the awareness programme, SP of Narcotic Affairs of Border (NAB) SP, W Basu made an informative and actionable presentation on “illicit plantation of poppy in Manipur”.
He talked on poppy cultivation plaguing the state and on how it feeds the chain of heroin production. He also discussed the measures that can be adopted in order to effectively fight the menace.
Top brasses of the state Police department, state Forest department, Senapati district administration and 59 Mountain Division of the Indian Army who present at the awareness programme talked on the challenges ahead to combat the illicit poppy plantation in the state.
Over 300 people attended the awareness programme.
