Manipur Chief Minister N Biren on Monday refuted Manipur Congress’s allegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being a dictatorial government and claimed that no innocent person had been killed under the BJP governance unlike the past state Congress regime.
The chief minister was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a programme where the OP Sadbhavna 2022-23, an organic farming education tour from Sajik Tampak to Sikkim, was flagged in at IGAR South, Mantripukhri, Imphal.
Biren said he will not stoop to verbal spat with other political parties and respond to unfounded allegations. He said the Manipur government’s War on Drugs campaign is not against any community. “The government’s campaign is to save the people, especially the young generations,” he added.
Biren also highlighted that the frequent use of fertilisers and deforestation caused by poppy plantations has triggered a large-scale environmental degradation in the state. Such reckless ventures have resulted in the ongoing water scarcity in Manipur, he said.
“The water level in Singda dam has shrunk dramatically and the government is working on an alternative water route from Thoubal dam for supply in Imphal,” he said.
Pointing out that organic farming can be a viable alternative to poppy farming, he exhorted the people to stop poppy cultivation, and put a stop to the environment degradation chain.
Biren also expressed gratitude to Assam Rifles and state forces for their relentless service in the government’s campaign and appealed to everyone to collectively extend support to the Prime Minister’s Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.
He exuded confidence that participants of the organic farming education tour will help promote organic farming in the state and educate the public about its benefits.
He also lauded the efforts of Assam Rifles in promoting organic farming in border areas as an alternate farming and extended his gratitude to the Sikkim government for providing opportunity to the farmers of to learn about the various aspects of organic farming.
Major General Rajan Sharawat and other personnel of HQ IGAR(S) took part in the event.
Altogether, 20 farmers, including seven women, took part in the tour which was organised as a part of Op Sadbhavna under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S). The tour was flagged off from Sajik Tampak for Gangtok, Sikkim on February 4.
The tour was organised to enlighten and expose the young farmers to myriad options of organic farming. During their maiden visit to Sikkim, participants took part in a series of presentations and field visits to various organic farms under the Agriculture and Horticulture department of Sikkim.
The farmers also interacted with Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad Chaurasia at Gangtok. The farmers were exposed to practical knowledge of organic soil testing.
Also Read: Organic farming is an important part of War on Drugs, says Manipur CM Biren
