Peasants join destruction drive

Poppy plants

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, March 7: Although considered as an endemic district in terms of poppy cultivation and use of opium, the people of Anjaw district have striven to prove it otherwise by responding vibrantly to the Government’s initiative to provide altertive livelihood to villagers who had to take up the cultivation of poppy for economic sustence as well as for use in traditiol rituals.

Altogether 104 people have come forward till date to voluntarily join the ‘Mission’ launched last month. More than 33 plots have been uprooted of its poppy plants by a team of officers from the district administration along with cultivators in over 25 villages of the district, an official report informed here today. The voluntary drive has indicated a positive turn by people who were seen to have been using opium traditiolly for various rituals including for medicil purpose.

Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Mamata Riba appreciated those cultivators who have come forward with determition to leave poppy cultivation, for their strong and clean efforts towards progress and thanked the Govt for viable support being extended to farmers through the Department of Horticulture. It is worth mentioning that various strategies and sensitization campaign on ill effects of use of opium had been undertaken by the district administration in collaboration with civil society organizations like 'Being Mishmi' and 'CALSOM' at various levels.

Meanwhile, in continuation of the drive of destruction of poppy fields in other parts of the State, the Central Bureau of rcotic is scheduled to start anti-opium operation in those areas of the district where the voluntary drive has not started, the report added.