Pubdate: Wed, 20 Dec 2006
Source: Telegraph, The (India)
Copyright: 2006 The Telegraph
Contact: +91-33-22368169
Website: http://www.telegraphindia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2836
Author: Khelen Thokchom

ANTI-DRUG WAR CONTINUES IN MANIPUR

Last year, a few dedicated youths of  Imphal formed the All-Manipur 
Anti-Drug Association  aiming to root out the menace of alcoholism 
and drug  abuse in the state. A year down the line, the association 
has effectively launched its campaign in  Imphal West, Imphal East, 
Thoubal and Bishenpur. The  year-old association celebrated its 
foundation day with  a function here today.

The campaign launched by the association garnered  popular support 
from Assam Rifles as well as the army  units, with troops handing 
over seized country liquor  to the members for destruction.

Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh also hailed the  efforts made by the 
group. Even senior police officials  admitted that the campaign has 
helped yield successful  results.

President of the association L. Tomba said the  volunteers have so 
far seized liquor and drugs worth  more than Rs. 63.62 lakh. So far 
they have rounded up  1,635 male and 665 female bootleggers and drug 
traffickers.

Tomba said the organisation, with its headquarters in  Imphal, has 
been actively fighting against social evils  with full co-ordination 
among its 77 local units.

Though Manipur was declared dry in 1991 during the R.K.  Ranbir Singh 
government, sale and consumption of Indian  and foreign-made liquor 
and country brew continue  unabated due to the "corrupt" law 
enforcing agencies  and "indifferent" state machinery.

Drug trafficking is another problem that continues to  plague the state.

Bootleggers and peddlers caught by the members would be  asked to 
issue confessional statements in the local  dailies promising that 
they would not indulge in such  activities again. Those who were 
caught again after  issuing the confessional statements would be 
asked to  publish their photographs in the local papers.

Tomba said in several cases the volunteers have caught  minor 
children being used by their parents as  bootleggers.

"In such cases, we hold counselling sessions for the  parents," the 
president of the association said.

But the campaign has not been a smooth affair. Tomba  admitted that 
in several cases, the volunteers have  incurred the wrath of 
antisocial elements.

However, such misunderstandings have been resolved  amicably through 
negotiations and dialogue with the  other party.

Claiming that the association had been able to persuade  many women 
to change their profession from bootlegging  to weaving the president 
said that the organisation  would intensify its campaign in the years to come.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine