LEWA president Sorokhaibam Ojit said that the “War on Drugs” campaign should be rebranded as “Wari on Drugs” (Story on drugs)
TFM Desk
Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking on Saturday at the conference hall of CADA Head office, Pureiromba Khongnang Makhong, Imphal East.
The theme of this year is “Share facts on Drugs, Save Lives”. The simple function was held observing COVID SOPs, according to a release.
Speaking at the function, CADA secretary general Geetchandra Mangang lamented that although the day is observed every year against drug abuse and illegal drug business, the situation in the state remains the same.
He further said that although the state government announced several campaigns and programmes to curb the drug menace, they remained in name only as it is not implemented properly.
Stating that although huge quantities of drugs are seized under the “War on Drugs” campaign, he maintained that conviction rate remains low and many are let scot-free because of “political conspiracy or nexus”. The campaign has become a joke, he added.
Geetchandra also recalled that people have forgotten the “Nisha Thadoklasi” (let us give up illicit substances) programme announced by Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on the same day in 2018 at JNIMS auditorium. He added that despite the publication of “State Drug Policy” in the Manipur Official Gazette , no work has been taken up in this regard.
“People need to realise the quantities of drugs which must have been transported as huge quantities of drugs are being confiscated during the COVID curfew almost everyday,” he said.
Lamding Educated Welfare Association (LEWA) president Sorokhaibam Ojit, who was the chief guest of the function, said that the “War on Drugs” campaign should be rebranded as “Wari on Drugs” (Story on drugs).
Stating that many poppy plantations are destroyed every year as it is illegal, he said that no one is being punished for such acts and they continue to plant poppy the next year.
Ojit also suggested that there is a need to revamp the drugs related laws as many drug businessmen escape through the loopholes of the existing laws. The agencies of the state to fight the drug menace also need to be streamlined as the situation has become akin to giving key (of a lock) to the thieves, he added.
CADA president Hijam Priyokumar and vice president Ningthoujam Doren attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.