Violence in Manipur related to drugs, reiterates CM Biren Singh

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday during the observation of International Day against drug and illicit trafficking said that the ongoing violence in the state is related to drugs and illegal poppy cultivation.

“The war on drugs, which was launched in 2018 and continues under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nasha Mukt Bharat, is the cause of the ongoing crisis in Manipur, adding that the state will put much more effort into eradicating the drug menace from Manipur”, CM said.

“The government will not surrender and the drive against drugs will continue,” he added

Biren said so far, at least 18000 hectares where poppy was planted were destroyed, and around 297 people involved in drug use were nabbed.

Over 50 percent decline was reported in poppy plantations since the government started a campaign against drugs, he stated.

As part of the observation, Manipur police organised a bike rally, which was flagged off by the Chief Minister. The rally passed through important streets of the city and spread messages about the evils of drugs.

Reserve Battalion and Central Forces, the government has been able to reduce illegal poppy plantations in the remote areas of the hill districts, said Singh.

Meanwhile, the chief minister also flagged off a motorbike rally organised by Manipur Police.

“Flagged off a bike rally in observation of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking from my secretariat today,” the chief minister posted on X. “More than a hundred officers and security personnel, who are taking part in the rally, will carry the message of the importance of the War on Drugs and the fight against cross-border illegal trafficking into the state…With support from the masses, the state government will remain committed to uprooting the drug menace from the state,” his X post further read.