CCpur, May 20 2010: In a bid to reduce the menace of drugs in Churachandpur district in particular and the state in general, the Assam Rifles in a drive to do away with the drug menace have destroyed about 10 hectares of poppy (Opium) cultivation during the last three months, according to 27 Sector AR, Churachandpur.

For the first time in the district, the Assam Rifles organized a campaign to make Churachandpur Free of Drug Menace today at its sector headquarter, Tuibuong by inviting the cultivators and provide them with alternative means for livelihood � ginger seed for cultivation.

Altogether 25 poppy cultivators were given ginger seed and other materials to replace their poppy cultivation.

The drive to cut down poppy in Singat sub-division of the district started from February 11 and lasted till April 30, according to source.

The Campaign was attended by the PHED minister Mr T.N.Haokip, MLAs of Henglep Mr T.Manga Vaiphei, Singat MLA Mr Hangkhanpao, newly elected MDC Mr Thangchinkhup (as representative of Mr Phungzathang Tonsing who was sick), the Dy Commissioner Ms Jacinta Lazarus, GOC 57 Mt Division Lt Gen Hooda, the SP/C Ccpur, District level officers, church leaders, NGO functionaries and various social leaders and dignitaries.

The CO of the 27th Sector, AR Colonel Surendra Mehta said that the Assam Rifles has been trying to reduce the drug menace in the district with all efforts.

He said, the AR has organized various kinds of programs to entertain the youths and draws them away from drugs.

When the Assam Rifles cut down the poppy cultivation, villagers come to us and told us if their only livelihood means is destroy what they will eat.

The AR then talked to the DC/CCpur and have arranged for providing this kind of alternative livelihood means, he said.

Music and sports have been use to mobilized the youths with the help of local NGOs and CBOs, he said.

The Assam Rifles have been supporting various Civic Action Program in the district to help the people lead a normal life and pave the way for development, he said.

Speaking at the occasion, M.r TN Haokip said that, we have heard of Ganja cultivation in the state but never of poppy cultivation.

Ganja cultivation has been prohibited by the law and this poppy cultivation is a new menace that needs to be dealt with.

If not then, there will be generation gap, and the whole next generation may be whip out.

The constituency MLA Mr Hangkhanpao said that, nobody from the constituency ever asked him to support them for cultivation of other livelihood means, but now people cultivating poppy is a surprise and there is no way the government can support this kind of practices.

He urges the villagers to practice another kind of livelihood means.

Henglep MLA Mr T.Manga Vaiphei also said that the legislators are ever ready to help villager for alternative livelihood means and urge them to approach them for another better cultivation practices.

The local legislators also assured the District administration that her hand will be strengthen to further this kind of good cause to provide alternative livelihood means for poor villagers.

The DC/CCpur Ms Jacinta Lazarus, SHAMLOM Director Ms Puii, Mr.Joseph Joute from SAHARA, AMADA President others also spoke on the occasion stressing on the need to join hands and fight the drug menace in the district.The Dy Commissioner said that the government will try to do more to help the villagers for an alternative livelihood means in the hills.

Mr Joseph Joute, Journalist said the drug market is one of the biggest trades (3rd) in the world with a total turn over of USD 500 Billion.

He said that NGO and people from outside (AR) are coming here to help us and save our children from destruction and we the people of the district are trying to kill our own people by cultivating poppy in our land.

He said, if you use drug and become an addict, you are not committing a crime but got a deadly disease.

If you cultivate poppy then you are committing a crime.

So, he urge the villagers to stop poppy cultivation and instead try to make the district a Drug Free District.

Despite all out efforts to reduce drug use and HIV/AIDS in the district, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is still very high, and it was recently found that 2010 records higher percentage than 2009 and the district is number one in the state, he added.

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