SF patronizing drug kingpins : RPF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 07 2011: While endorsing the assertion of Narcotics Control Bureau's Assistant Director Bijoy Sahasani that numerous mobile drug manufacturing units have sprung up in remote corners of Manipur, the proscribed Revolution People's Front (RPF) has alleged that drugs, particularly Heroin powder, are being manufactured under the patronage of the security forces.

A statement issued by the outfit's publicity secretary T Leisemba said it is without doubt that in the last 5/6 years remote corners of Manipur have been transformed into drug manufacturing havens.

Pointing out that unlike in the past when insurgent groups dominated interior parts of Manipur, over 60-70,000 personnel of Indian security forces have been deployed in almost every nook and corner of the State consequently leading to many unscrupulous elements with the covert support of the security forces audaciously setting up mobile drug manufacturing units.

In the past when insurgent groups had bases in remote areas of the hill districts, no individual, including the hill people cultivated poppy plants compared to the present time where there have been various instances of NCB personnel launching drive against such a practice, observed the secretary while construing that growing cases of poppy plant destruction is an indication that poppy plants are being grown in an extensive manner.

Predicting that failure to check such anti-social activities would earn Manipur the undesired distinction of being a drug haven in the near future similar to that of Golden Triangle in the South-East Asian region or the notorious Golden Crescent on the AfghanPakistan border, Leisemba opined that along with cosmetic development initiatives by the Indian security forces at remote hill villages drug manufacturing is also being encouraged.

Conceding that mobile drug manufacturing units are not only confined to the hill areas but has also spread in the valley pockets, especially at places where there are substantial Meitei-Pangal population, the banned outfit cautioned that such covert support of the security force is to immobilise the youth of Manipur.

Elucidating on the contention, Leisemba said with the Government of India not able to tame the insurgent groups even after protracted armed campaign, the focus today is shifted on destroying the younger generation through intoxication with abundant supply of tobacco products and Indian Made Foreign Liquor from the mainland and pouring drugs such as Heroin from the eastern flank.

Cautioning that such a double-prong strategy of India would ultimately succeed if concerted effort from all concerned is not made to save the upcoming generation, Leisemba also condemned lack of initiative by the political class of Manipur to combat the menace of Opium War.

The secretary further maintained that with the political class and bureaucrats mainly concentrating on amassing personal wealth taking advantage of the situation Manipur is passing through, time is ripe enough for the common people to rise in unison for protecting its younger generation before it is too late.

While tackling the external adversary forces has become inevitable to ensure longevity of the Manipuri society it is equally important that internal disruptive elements be swept away.

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