“As far as Ukhrul District and Kamjong area are concerned, all the civil society organisations have taken a strong resolution that no village/people would be allowed to do poppy plantations”, said TNL.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul community has strongly refuted the unsubstantiated statement given by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on August 31, 2021 in connection with mismanagement of urea supplies.
A press release signed by the President of TNL said 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 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 State Government is fully complicit in this.” This statement implies that Hill people are “lawless and are freely practicing illegal poppy plantation” and that the State Government is promoting such illegal activities.
“In refuting the unsubstantiated statement of Jairam Ramesh, mention may be made that 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, took a pledge to do away with poppy cultivation in support of the Government of Manipur declaration of war on drugs. About a thousand men and women leaders, high dignitaries, DC and SPs of Hill Districts, and the chief minister of Manipur as chief guest attended the conference to show solidarity and support.
“As far as Ukhrul District and Kamjong area are concerned, all the Civil Society Organisations have taken a strong resolution that no village/people would be allowed to do poppy plantations in Ukhrul District led by the Ukhrul SP.
“Therefore, it is reminded that we the hill people of Ukhrul District and Kamjong areas are not lawless people and such uninvited derogatory remarks may not be passed on us for political mileage and to tarnish the image of the Hill people” said TNL.