Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh flagged off a bike rally today from the western gate of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in observance of the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.” The rally, organized by the Manipur Police Department, carried the theme “The evidence is clear. Invest in prevention.”
In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the global observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, stressing its importance in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. He noted that Manipur was one of the hardest-hit regions by drug abuse in the 1990s, with a significant rate of HIV infection.
However, since the launch of the War on Drugs Campaign by the State Government in 2018 and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant strides have been made in combating the drug menace. N. Biren Singh stated that numerous illegal drug manufacturing units have been dismantled, and many individuals involved in drug trafficking have been arrested.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the large-scale destruction of poppy cultivation across the state, achieved with the help of state police and central forces. He reported that satellite mapping surveys show a 50 to 60 percent reduction in poppy cultivation areas.
Recalling an incident where a Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel lost his life during poppy destruction drives, N. Biren Singh lauded the State Police for their dedicated efforts in the War on Drugs campaign. He also expressed gratitude to the people of the state, including various civil society organizations, for their unwavering support of the campaign.
Concluding his speech, he urged the public to unite against drug abuse and strive to make Manipur a drug-free state.
The bike rally will travel through Bishnupur District, then proceed to Kakching district via Moirang, Kumbi, and Wangoo. From Kakching, it will head towards Thoubal district and finally conclude at Imphal East District. During the rally, interaction programs will be held in different districts by the respective Superintendents of Police.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, Director General of Police Shri Rajiv Singh, and other high-ranking police officials.
