IT News
Imphal, June 26:
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh flagged off a bike rally, from the western gate of Chief Minister’s Secretariat, organized in connection with the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” today. The bike rally was organized by the Manipur Police department under the theme “The evidence is clear. Invest in prevention”.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed across the world to stand against the drug abuse and illicit trafficking. He added that Manipur was also among the worst affected places of drug abuse with a high rate of HIV infected people in 1990’s.
However, under the War on Drugs Campaign launched by the State Government in 2018 to save the youths and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State Government had been able to tackle drug menace to some extent, N. Biren stated. He continued that many illegal drugs manufacturing units operated in the State had been busted and many people associated with drugs trafficking had been arrested.
Mentioning that destruction of poppy cultivation had been carried out on a large scale across the State with the help of State police and central forces, the Chief Minister informed that the area of poppy cultivation has declined by around 50 to 60 percent, as surveyed through satellite mapping.
Recalling the incident where a VDF personnel lost his life while carrying out poppy destruction drives, N. Biren appreciated the State Police for their dedicated efforts towards the War on Drugs campaign. He further appreciated the people of the State including certain civil society organizations for their unwavering support to the campaign.
Concluding his speech, he appealed to the public to stand together against drug abuse and make Manipur a drug free state.
The bike rally will first head towards Bishnupur District and then will proceed to Kakching district via Moirang, Kumbi, Wangoo. From Kakching, it will proceed towards Thoubal district and finally conclude at Imphal East District. During the rally, interaction programs will also be held at the different districts by the respective Superintendents of Police.
The flag off programme was attended by Ministers, Member of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and other high ranking police officials among others.