Protest against drug trafficking continues

IMPHAL, March 2: In a rare sight,  political parties cutting across party lines came together to make a point against the ruling Congress led Government and its handling of drug related cases in the state.

The Manipur People’s Party, Manipur State Congress Party, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Shiv Sena, All India Forward Bloc, Janata Dal (Secular) and Janata Dal (United) jointly staged a sit in protest against drug smuggling at the Manipur People's Party office complex today.

During the protest, the  AIFB State Secretary Kh Gyaneswor said drug abuse which will harm the future generation has become the largest crime in the state. There will be no future of the society if youths are addicted to drugs. "We should fight the battle of drug to save the society," he said.

O Joy, Advisor MPP said the protest was a movement to face the issue if drug abuse and its trade which is the big challenge to the society.

"The society is in the stage of extinction as the state is becoming a place for drug smuggling in huge quantities. MPP has collected a one year data on drug seizures which shows that drugs worth crores have been seized," he said. There may be many other drug cases which are not caught, he added.

He then alleged that some people try to become political leaders with the money they earn from drug and that drug smugglers have been dominating the state administration.

"The three main issues in the state are drug, corruption and political conflict. The abolishment of SIU and the statement made by the government regarding Momoko’s case is an irresponsible step of the government," O Joy continued.

Terming the security checking in the airport as sham, he asked how  huge quantities of drugs were being brought through air cargo and reached Pallel. "There is loophole in the Civil Aviation Ministry and Home Ministry and they should take responsibility for the drug scandal," he said.

CPI State Secretary Dr Nara said the drug issue is a very serious one in the state of Manipur. There are enough laws however the problem is the law makers have broken the law, he said adding that the sit in protest is a new beginning. "Arrest drug smugglers and punish them is our slogan and our question is whether the Indian parliament and leaders  sees the issue or not," said Dr Nara.