Imphal Times Supplementary issue Page No. 2 Editorial Irungabam Monday, August 26, 2019 Gen Bipin Rawat visits Eastern family hosted Command HQ grand fest at old on a high: IT News age home the unacknowledged Imphal, Aug 26, The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat visited the drug menace Headquarter Manipur police recorded the biggest haul of banned narcotic on 24-25 August 2019. drugs in the North east region with the seizure of 40 lakh On 24 August the COAS was tablets of contraband WY (World is Yours), worth Rs 400 crore briefed by Lt Gen MM Naravane, in the international market at the inter-village road (IVR) at GOC-in-C Eastern Command on the Phoudel Keirembi Mathak Leikai under District assisted operational readiness of the Ranjit Singh Irungbam and Irunbam Ongbi N. Chandrajini by local youth clubs and women welfare associations in the formations in Eastern Command along with their children today locality. The dubious distinction is nothing new or unexpected, theatre. The COAS also visited the hosted and feast for the aged and if the past is any indication, many more and bigger hauls Palliative Care Centre ‘Sparsh’ in people taking shelter at are yet to be expected. This is an alarming indication of the Barrackpore Cantonment which was volume of banned psychotropic drugs which is coming through established on 04 Apr 2019 to Mongsangei old age home. the state. provide succour to terminally ill While the society is immersed in the never-ending political patients and their families who are tangles and one-upmanship resulting from a conflict of beyond active medical treatment Awareness interests between the state and self of those who are elected and suffering from cancer, workshop on to represent the aspirations of the people, the deadly but neurological disorders and other standards of operational readiness interacted with officers & soldiers silent menace of drug abuse is rapidly spreading its tentacles critical ailments. He also visited the of the Eastern Command and also and praised them for their in the state, and despite numerous and increasingly larger solar lighting project in the expressed his utmost confidence professionalism and exhorted the Army recruitment hauls on record, the state authorities are evidently unable to cantonment and hailed this novel over the capability of the formations troops to continue to work with zeal IT News make much headway into stemming the flow of the drugs into green initiative. of the Eastern Command theatre. and dedication to overcome all Imphal, Aug. 26 Manipur. The COAS appreciated the high The COAS during his visit also challenges in the future. The task, however, is easier said than done. According to Thoubal Battalion of 9 Sector a report by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Rifles under the aegis of Myanmar is the world’s second-largest opium poppy grower, One Day Legal Literacy & IGAR (South) organised an Army beaten only by Afghanistan. Shan State remains the center of Pediatric recruitment awareness workshop at Myanmar’s opium activities, accounting for 92 per cent of Medical Camp Chandrakhong Company Operating opium poppy cultivation, with the remainder located mainly Awareness Programme held Base (COB) on 23 August 2019. The in Kachin State. In 2013, it was estimated that 57,814 hectares IT News Army recruitment rally is scheduled were under opium poppy cultivation, a significant increase of Imphal, Aug 26 at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, 13 % compared to 2012. Despite eradication efforts, higher Imphal from 10 to 18 October this yields combined with a rise in cultivation saw Myanmar opium Tulihal Battalion of 9 Sector Assam year for the youth of the state. production increase 26 % in 2013 to an estimated 870 tonnes Rifles un der the aegis of IGAR In continuance with the efforts by - the highest since assessments by UNODC and the Myanmar (South) organised a pediatric medical to guide and further Government began in 2002. camp at Samusang village, Imphal enlighten youth of the state about With a neighbor as notorious and uncooperative as West district on 25 August 2019. various ways to join the Indian Myanmar, the task is cut out not only for the state authorities In an endeavour to reach out to the Armed Forces, the units of 9 Sector fighting the drug menace, but even the national agency the local populace, render all possible Assam Rifles are conducting Narcotics Control Bureau set up to endeavour to bring about assistance and as a contribution guidance and training capsules for prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, towards ensuring well being of one the volunteered youth of the area. of intoxicating drugs injurious to health have not been able and all, Company The units are undertaking the noble to make any significant breakthrough given the fact that Operating base (COB) organised the cause in a phased manner, another mammoth challenge owing to the proximity to the medical camp. The camp was mainly commencing with identifying the largest producers of heroin and hashish in the world-the Golden addressed to attending to the potential candidates and then Triangle and Golden Crescent (Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran) - children below 10 years of age. In subsequently training the selected has made ’s borders vulnerable to drug trafficking. addition to the pediatric individuals for the recruitment rally Indigenous production of low grade heroin as well as various consultation, the medical team of the scheduled in October 2019. psychotropic and prescription drugs and their growing demand IT News Law Network Manipur, Thiyam Battalion also conducted detailed On 23 August, Thoubal Battalion in the neighbouring countries and international market have Thoubal, Aug 26 Rajkeshwor Chairperson of Child checkup of elderly, ladies and gents. organised a workshop at added a new dimension to the problem of drug trafficking. Welfare Committee Imphal District Consultation on various diseases Chandrakhong COB to spread Evidently, the biggest hurdle to controlling the drug menace District Legal Services Authority and Advocate Thokchom Premila and health related issues was also awareness about the impending has been established to be the nexus between drug traffickers, Imphal East on Sunday organized Devi Assistant Director Human carried out during the camp as well Army recruitment rally. The organised criminal networks, corrupt public figures and a One Day Legal Literacy and Rights Law Network as free medicines were distributed workshop witnessed an politicians and terrorists which has created a force powerful Awareness Programme at Andro Manipur attended as Resource to the needy patients. overwhelming and enthusiastic enough to cause instability in the country. Money generated Louphaochum Youth Welfare persons. The camp witnessed an response from a large number of through drug trade has been used to fund various insurgent Club Ground in Imphal East. During the programme, issues like overwhelming response from the youth of the area. During the and terrorist movements. For instance, it has been estimated Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal “Welfare Scheme of the local populace with over 200 people workshop, emphasis was laid on the that money generated from the illegal sale of narcotics East Ningthoujam Lanleima and Government”, “Crime Against including children with their parents modalities of online registration accounted for 15 per cent of the finances of militant groups Khullakpa (Village Chief) of Sana Children” and “Crime Against and guardians participating in the facility for all interested candidates in and Kashmir. Similarly, Sikh militant groups in Punjab Pokpa Pana Loisang Chingakham Women” etc. were deliberated by camp. All the attendees conveyed who can get their name registered and Northeast insurgent groups like the Nationalist Socialist Gandhar Meitei graced the the resource persons beside the their heartfelt gratitude to the Assam during the spot registration at the Council of (Isak-Muivah) NSCN (IM) are known to program as the Chief Guest and interaction session and Question Rifles for facilitating the outreach o f COBs and unit headquarter as well channellise drugs into India to finance their operations as Functional President hour. the medical facilities and requested as during the pre-recruitment mentioned in a report of Institute for Defence Studies and respectively. The programme was participated for more such camps in the future. training at the COBs. Analyses (IDSA). The study continues that 70 per cent of the While Advocate Meihoubam by Club Members, Meira Paibis drugs are transported over land makes the land borders Rakesh, Director Human Rights and Students. corridors, through which drugs are trafficked into the country. Assam Rifles organises Their vulnerability can be assessed by the fact that 70 per cent of the heroin and 40 per cent of opium that are being Manipuris in observes trafficked are seized from states along the borders. Easy community service and availability of drugs in the border areas makes their abuse rampant among the local populace as is evident from drug Manipuri Language Day consumption trends and patterns in Manipur, , Punjab security meets and Rajasthan. IT News the troops of the Battalion. The pertinent questions right now: what happened to the seized drugs which should have run into tons by now? What Imphal, Aug. 26 As part of the security meets about the so-called big boss/es running the drug cartel in the conducted by Andro COB of state- has the state authority been able to unearth any Keithelmanbi and Mantripukhri Keithelmanbi Battalion and YKPI significant information and intelligence regarding the identity Battalions of 9 Sector Assam Rifles COB of Mantripukhari Battalion, and operation of any of them? If so, has any practical and under the aegis IGAR (South) locals were updated on current susta inable plan of action been laid out in this regard? organised community service and security situation existing in the area Shooting the messenger will have no impact on the people security meets with an aim to of responsibility. There were also who are really in control of the trafficking and dealing. It is interact with the local populace as interactions carried out on necessary also questionable as to how huge shipments of drugs have well as sensitise them in regards to measures to be undertaken for repeatedly been able to get past the seemingly thorough and existing security situation in the maintaining a strict vigil against time consuming frisking carried out with ardour by the area. illicit activities in the area as well as security forces in various places along the highway to and The community service cum future action plan in respect of civil from the border. The fight against drug calls for interaction was organised by YKPI action projects like medical camps. unconventional and innovative means as the dangers posed Company Operating Base (COB) of In addition to the security agenda, by drugs transcends religion, borders or social strata. Only a IT News function as a Chief Guest.Sri Rajiv Mantripukhri Battalion at Baptist the locals were also informed about determined, honest and concerted effort following a Imphal, Aug.26 Lochan Pareek,Vice Chancellor of Church in Choullouphai, the various opportunities available sustainable and broad- based plan of action will stand any ICFAI University was present as a district. The interaction for the youth to join the Indian chance of achieving success. The cooperation and support The 28th inclusion of Manipuri Guest of honour. Prof N.Khoibi and was aimed to familiarise and orient Armed Forces including the of CSOs, NGOs and local bodies will make the difference language in the Eighth schedule in Wangkhem Birmangal, Chief troops of the COB with the locals upcoming Army Recruitment Rally between success and failure. the Constitution of India has been Adviser of Lamyanba Organisation as well as identify with their local scheduled to be held at observed as Manipuri Language were present as a Special Guests. customs and traditions. The event Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium in Day by Manipuri students & Manipuri language was included in commenced with offering of Imphal from 10 to 18 October 2019. Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ Faculty members of ICFAI the 8th Schedule in the Constitution prayers followed by an interaction Locals were also enlightened about can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. University Tripura on August 24. of India in 1992 on 20th August. with the villagers. It was followed the increase in snake bite cases For advertisement kindy contact: - 0385-2452159 (O). Rajkumar Jitendrajit Since then every year Manipuri by an interaction with the villagers during the present season and the For time being readers can reach the office at Cell Phone Singha,President of Manipuri people observed this day as a during which they willingly shared assistance being rendered by the No. 9862860745 for any purpose. Sahitya Parishad,Tripura grace the “Language Day”. their various issues of concern with unit medical teams.