Discussion on prevention of intoxicants held

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IMPHAL, June 11: The Chanurashingi Yaipha Thourang Lup in association with the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) conducted a discussion session on the topic “Prevention of intoxicants and its ill effects on the society” at Okram Chuthek Keithel Shang today.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Dhanabir Laishram, advisor All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, AMUCO said it will be better to find the source of illegal drugs and check the transportation of such illegal drugs into the state.

People should defer from supporting any candidate who supply liquors during campaigning before the elections, he said.

He also said that the government should also adopt a policy for the Sekmai local liquor which is much of much demand outside the state and check its sale at Rs 1000 per bottle. This will lift our income and more importantly, the locals would not buy it at such a high price, he added.

Liquor is regarded as a part of civilisation in other countries, he said while adding that the question of banning it has only arose from the fact that in Manipur, people consume it in an uncivilised manner. Also, there are politics in drugs and liquor in the state, Dr Dhanabir stressed.

During the occasion, Ph Phoni Meitei, general secretary AMADA stressed on the ill effects of intoxicants not only on the user but also on other non-users of the society and said that what AMADA is doing is reviving the idea of Nisa-bandh women.

“Addiction is a disease and so it cannot be cured by punishing the person like beating or fining him but he should be put into rehabilitation”, he said and urged to avoid consumption of intoxicants during the various rituals which is a common practice in the state.

Speaking as resource person on the topic “Legal procedures in connection with intoxicants”, Sapam Dilip, Lecturer LMS Law College, Imphal said drug trafficking is a networking process and involves more than one country.

India is located between Golden Crescent (Afghanistan) and Golden Triangle (Laos-Cambodia) and as such there are a high number of drug users and traffickers, he said.

Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act 1985 was adopted in the country to check drug issues, he added.

Under this act a defaulter can be fined and awarded from six months in prison up to death penalty, he said.

Such law is also effective in Manipur with NDPS Special Court functioning at Cheirap but the police will have to take the first step in punishing a defaulter, he asserted.

During the occasion, Dr H Angomcha, Psychiatrist District Hospital Bishnupur spoke on the topic “The ill effects of intoxicants”. Other dignitaries at the occasion were Thongam Bishorjit, MLA Thongju AC; N Kishan, Member Bashikhong ZP; Okram Raghu, Ex-President Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club; and Waikhom Ibeton Leima.

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