Poumai tribe declares its area as ‘drug/poppy-free zone’

Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 7 (EMN): A delegation of the Poumai tribe, led by J Kumo Sha, Karong MLA; D Dailord Pao, President of Poumai Naga Union (PNU); P Delilah Pao, President Poumai Naga Women’s Union (PNWU) and other civil society organisation leaders submitted a resolution to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announcing Poumai inhabited areas as ‘drug/poppy-free region’.

The resolution submitted to the chief minister read that “The office of the PNU, Senapati district, Manipur, in recognition of the chief minister’s initiative on ‘War Against Drugs’, the PNU, hereby adopt that after a threadbare discussion about the importance of preserving, conserving our forest land resources and in the larger interest of the people and its future, the House has resolved to curb and control the plantation of poppy or any other forms of drugs in the Poumai Naga area and its jurisdiction. Henceforth, the House unanimously declared the PNU and its jurisdiction drug-free zone on this day, the April 28, 2022”.

Speaking to media during the day’s gathering, Chief Minister Biren Singh said ‘it is indeed a historic moment. There have been instances of villages coming out in support of the War against Drug, but it is the first time that such a large community or tribe has come out and declared such support to the War against Drug’. The government alone cannot do anything, without the support of the masses, he added.

Urging all communities and tribes to join the movement and reiterating his earlier stand that there will be no compromise on the issue of illegal drugs, Singh said people involved in the drug business in the state should understand that drug menace is detrimental to the future of the society.

Singh also observed that almost 70 percent of the people of hills have come out strongly supporting the movement to eradicate drugs and called upon those involved in illegal drug business, encouraging poppy plantation, drug peddling to young students etc. in the valley to cease operation.

In his brief speech during the occasion, MLA Kumo Sha appreciated the resolution of the Poumai community as the largest tribe of Senapati district to support the chief minister’s initiative of War against Drug and termed the tribe’s decision as the ‘wisest decision of the union and the people.’

On the other hand, former president of United Naga Council, Paul Leo said that ‘the declaration alone is not enough. We have to spread awareness among the villagers also’. Leaders of PNWU and Poumai Naga Students Union also shared their comments during the day’s event.