Ukhrul: Unless checked, opium will become the most dangerous drug available in the backyard of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts within a short time.
Before opium runs into the bloodstream of the societal veins, getting passed on from one generation to another and attacking the very core or vitality of the social system, the budding tissue should be nipped in the bud. Lest one unfortunate day, a savage emerges through the cracks of the political system to rain down inhuman terror, consequent upon a bloody war against opium or poppy, invoking moral sanction from the vengeful public at large.
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On February 25, 2021, a conglomerate of 33 tribes from all the hill districts of Manipur hosted by Meetei Leepun attended the conference held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal, and took a pledge to do away with poppy cultivation in support of the government of Manipur’s declaration of war on drugs. About thousands of men and women leaders, high dignitaries, DCs and SPs of hill districts and the chief minister of Manipur as chief guest attended the conference to show solidarity and support.
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On September 2, 2021, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), had come out strongly against the statement given by INC leader, Jairam Ramesh on August 31, 2021. The TNL had stated that the statement issued by a senior INC leader, Jairam Ramesh on the mismanagement of urea by the government of Manipur is very misleading and far from the truth. Particularly the statement “…urea is diverted to hill areas in Manipur where poppy cultivation is being grown in large areas in the last four years.”
The statement made by INC leader, Jairam Ramesh may not be true in regard to the mismanagement of urea but poppy cultivation has spread to various parts of the Ukhrul district in recent years.
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As per the report presented by the then SP of Ukhrul, Saujanya Singh during the “Consultative workshop on alternative livelihood for people in poppy cultivated areas of Ukhrul district towards a drug-free and sustainable society for all” at DRDA Training Hall, Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul, he informed that approximately there was 500% increase in numbers of villages in Ukhrul district with poppy cultivation in the last 5 years and 600% increase in area under poppy cultivation in the last 5 years.
As per the report from Ukhrul Police, in 2020 there were around 500 or more families who were into poppy cultivation in Ukhrul district. And predicted a rise in the coming years. On May 16, 2022, the District Administration of Ukhrul organised a “Consultative workshop on alternative livelihood for people in poppy-cultivated areas of Ukhrul district towards a drug-free and sustainable society for all” at DRDA Training Hall, Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul. ThePresident of TSL informed that “out of 264 Tangkhul villages, poppy plantation is taking place in 79 villages of Tangkhul inhabited area, out of which 40 villages are intensively involved in this cultivation. 90% of households in 7 villages are actively involved in poppy plantation, above 40% of households in 33 villages are involved in poppy plantation, moderately below 30% of households in 14 villages and an initial 10% of households in 25 villages are involved in poppy plantation. A total of 185 villages have prohibited poppy cultivation in their respective jurisdictions.”
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To curb the fast-spreading menace of poppy cultivation, on September 14, 2023, a seminar on War On Drugs – Quest To End Poppy Cultivation was held at UBC Jubilee Hall, Ukhrul. Out of 98 revenue villages under the Ukhrul district, around 65 villages attended the seminar and took a solemn pledge against illegal poppy cultivation and to contribute and give the best effort to create a drug-free community. The pledge “we solemnly pledge to work for complete eradication of illegal poppy cultivation and other illicit drug business in any area of our jurisdiction. We will support and contribute ourbest efforts to create a drug-free community. We pledge that we will keep ourselves, our family and our loved ones from the influence of drugs for a safe and healthy society.”
In spite of various awareness campaigns by the District Administration, NGOs and Tangkhul CSOs, there seems to be an increase in numbers of poppy cultivation.
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Police informed that usually, the poppy farmers harvest 3-4 times a year, depending on the growth of the poppy plant. The first harvest begins in the month of November and continues till March. Since income generation is huge and in a short span of time, many people have started opting for poppy cultivation. If not checked, in no time, opium will become the most dangerous drug available in our backyard and the easiest way to switch young drug users to a new level.
On Thursday, a joint team of Ukhrul Police, Ukhrul Forest Department and 6th Manipur Rifles continued a poppy destruction drive at Sihai Hill Range, Ukhrul district, Manipur. Around 6 hectares area of illicit poppy fields were destroyed. Huts and other amenities were also destroyed by the joint team.
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Despite the rough terrain and limited manpower, the joint team has been carrying out the destruction of poppy in different parts of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts since 8 November 2023 and has destroyed around 97 hectares to date.
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