New schemes sought for opium-hit districts

Our correspondent

Itanagar, April 27: The Itanagar unit of Mishmi Welfare Society (MWS), in a representation to State Governor Brig (retd) Dr B D Mishra, requested him to advise the State government to initiate prompt action regarding sanctioning alternative livelihood schemes for the opium-affected districts of Lohit and Anjaw.

“The opium menace has badly affected the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh with ever increasing number of addicts and poppy cultivation, which is impacting our societies adversely. The Mishmi society has been the worst affected by this menace and Lohit district has become the epicenter of poppy cultivation. The opium menace can only be dealt with effectively by considering a multi-pronged strategy,” the MWS said.

The society also called for establishment of de-addiction centres in every district headquarters, introduction of rehabilitative programmes like skill development and self-employment opportunities, conducting awareness and counselling programmes, providing alternative livelihood, stopping poppy cultivation and strictly enforcing the NDPS Act.

The MWS also informed the Governor that the primary and middle schools in rural areas of the two districts are largely defunct and sought posting of teachers, especially senior teachers, at the secondary and higher secondary schools in Anjaw and Dibang valley districts.