Manipur CM assures mechanism to combat illegal drugs

Govt. sets welfare agenda for the aged and the destitute

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 27 (EMN): Manipur’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that a fast-track court would be established soon to tackle ‘the drug menace’ and to punish drug smugglers and those associated with such businesses in the state. The fast track court would replace the present NDPS court to hear all cases concerning drug cases.
The chief minister was addressing the 4th distribution of educational financial assistance for children of widows in Langthabal constituency. The event was held at Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong Community Hall on Jan. 27 . Sat.
The function was organised by the Langthabal Kendra Widow’s Welfare Association.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, the chief minister said that a committee had been formed with principal secretary for Home as its chairman, and an ADG as vice-chairman to tackle the ‘issue of drug menace’ in the state.
Biren Singh said that inspector-generals, deputy commissioners, and police superintendents would comprise the committee for which an official order would be issued too. He mentioned that such a committee will be checking drug peddling and smuggling in the state.
Further, the chief minister said that a ‘Watsapp group’ had been formed to exchange information related to the ‘drug menace.’ He is said to have been receiving photographs and reports of poppy plants in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur area being destroyed through the group.
Expressing serious concern at the ‘widespread poppy and cannabis plantation’ in different parts of the state, the chief minister asked the administrators in concern to destroy the plants within the month of March.
In other matters, the chief minister appreciated the initiative by the minister for CAF&PD Karam Shyam to help widows. Biren Singh said that the objective of such an initiative was to bring positive changes. He opined that the ‘essence of being in politics’ was to render humane services with a human touch to bring ‘inclusive development.’ He said that there would be no meaning in having good roads and infrastructure when there is ‘no good education, livelihood etc. for the people of the state. ‘
‘The foremost duty of being a human is to help the downtrodden, widows, the elderly, and the homeless of the state. The present government is committed to bringing inclusive development with initiatives such as providing free diagnostics facilities at government hospitals; financial and welfare assistance to the disabled and senior citizens; health assurance schemes for the poor and the disabled etc.
495 children were selected for financial assistance in education. The assistance was instituted with the donation of ministers’ monthly salary and voluntary monetary donations from well-wishers.