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.