Senapati: In a step to intensify its stand on “War against Drugs” in Poumai land, the Poumai Frontal Organizations comprising of the Poumai Naga Union (PNU), Poumai Naga Women’s Union (PNNM) and the Poumai Naga Students Union (PNTM) had organised Bike & Car Rally on Saturday. The rally was organised in collaboration with District Administration, Senapati, District Police, Forest department, horticulture department and agriculture department.
Braving the heat and rain during the rally, the team travelled for more than 150 km in Poumai areas covering nine different villages in Senapati district.
On reaching different villages, D. Dailord Pao, President, Poumai Naga Union briefed the villagers that the rally was organised to remind them once again that PNU restricts all kinds of poppy plantation in the land as a follow up of the resolution passed by the assembly of the union. The President also mentioned that the team has been travelling from place to place spreading the message while urging the villagers to continuously support the move of the frontal organizations and ordered to follow as per the resolution passed in the assembly. Different village elders lauded the move of the frontal organizations and declared to support the move. Some villages had reportedly passed resolution not to plant poppy earlier adding many other communities residing in their land had left following the restriction. Sub-Inspector of the district Police mentioned some penalties whoever does not abide laid down by the union while adding that poppy and drug have become allergic in the state by now. The Police Sub-Inspector also reminded the villagers that the Police will investigate into who else are planting poppy in a village and when a village chairman/secretary cannot point out who else are planting them, they will be picked up and taken up legal action against them as per law.
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Briefing media person after the rally, D. Dailord Pao, President, PNU stated that the rally was organised in support of State’s mission on “War against Drugs.” While covering different villages, the President stated that message was given to the villagers that the frontal organizations will totally go against drug with no plantation of poppy or related drug plants in the region. The rally was organised in consonance with the resolution passed in the Poumai Naga general assembly recently. While covering for around 160 km during the rally, the team had reportedly interacted with different village leaders including village chairman authority members, women society leaders and student body leaders and briefed them about Govt policy and entrusted them not to encourage poppy cultivation. At the same time, the team had reportedly given assurance to the villagers to assist them in finding an alternate cropping for their livelihood instead of poppy cultivation. The frontal organizations are stated to be ready to approach the concerned department to replace alternate crops for affected families. The step was reportedly taken to the commitment which they had earlier declared that Poumai community shall remain a poppy and drug free Zone.
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Different personalities from the Poumai Naga community include Banner Lanamai James, finalists Rubaru Mr. India, 2022, P. Achevei, Winner, Mega Mr. Northeast, 2021-2022, Julita Robert, Miss Lui-Ngai-Ni, 1994, First Mrs. Poumai, 2008 & film actress and Joram Koveo Woba, President, Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur also joined the rally.
The team during the first phase rally covered nine different villages including Sorbung, Khamsom, Khamsom Hupfii, Tingsong Khunou, Tingsong Centre, Tingsong Khullen, Ngamju, Oinam Hill and Thingba Khullen villages.
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