Imphal: In a major boost to state government’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, Agape Museum, an apex body of 143 NGOs located in different hill districts of Manipur have pledged to work as frontline workers in the destruction of poppy plantations in their respective areas.
Representatives of these NGOs met Chief Minister N Biren Singh and expressed their full support to the Government’s ongoing campaign. They said that they would extend cooperation to the Government officials in the field and take part in the campaign as frontline workers to save the youth of the state from drug menace.
In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, the apex body said, “We believe in your leadership, wisdom and understanding. We pray earnestly that God will really bless you and enable you to stop poppy plantation in Manipur Hill Area Region by replacing it with Horticulture crops like Ginger, Banana, Stink Bean, Orange, Lemon, Pineapple, Lemongrass, etc. We want to work together to change Manipur as never before”.
Interacting with them, N Biren Singh said that poppy growers are not his enemy but he wishes to save the future generation from drug abuse and trafficking. Stating that the State Government has formulated a plan to rehabilitate poppy growers by providing alternative livelihood, the Chief Minister asked the NGO representatives to identify suitable crops for farming in the areas where poppy is currently planted.
He added that it is a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that people have come forward to extend support and cooperation to Government’s activities, he added. He said that the Government would organize a grand meeting with the representatives of hill leaders to discuss the matter more extensively after the completion of the ongoing Assembly session.
The NGO representatives also held a blessing prayer for the Chief Minister to succeed in the destruction of poppy plantations and ‘War on Drugs’ campaign.
