Memorandum submitted to Shri Amit Shah, Honourable Home Minister, Govt. of India (proposed)
As you may be aware, the menace of drugs and poppy cultivation has besieged the state of Manipur for a long time, and we as a community of intellectuals feel this is a very important issue that needs a multi-pronged approach. In addition to the CSOs and NGOs working on the said issue even before the incumbent govt. of Shri N. Biren Singh was in power in the state, the State govt. has also declared war on drugs. And the fight to eliminate the menace of drugs and poppy cultivation is going on in full force.
As a group that understands the problem from the perspective of the illiterate and marginalized cultivators, we intend to wean them away from the menace of poppy and would be exploring ways to provide alternatives either with the help of the state govt., or central govt. or the NGOs working closely with these people. We consider this fight to eradicate poppy as the peoples' fight and therefore, the question we posed to ourselves is: why should the CM of Manipur fight the fight against social ills that has the potential to destroy Manipuri society in particular hill people especially Kuki society all alone. However much we support the state govt. on its war on drugs, there are a few critical issues we would like to bring to your kind attention so that the fight against drugs and poppy cultivation is not only effective but humane.
1. The current rhetorics used on social media and a few official communication on the issue of poppy cultivation has been perceived as communal by many in the Kuki community and that is one crucial element, the state govt. must rectify on their own or they may be directed by your esteemed office to refrain from such divisive and community-blaming rhetorics. The one thing that can't be tolerated is someone lecturing a community and blaming a community as a whole. Not all tribals, Kukis and Nagas both, are poppy cultivators. In fact, many intellectuals in the tribal community have always been against poppy cultivation for years but because they can't provide an alternative livelihood to the poor and uncared-for villagers, they could not do much besides putting moral pressure and creating awareness. They have used the case study of the Konyak tribe and the ill effects poppy cultivation has on the whole tribe to drive home their point. Sir, the Konyak community was once the most advanced community in the NE and Indo Burma region in the middle of the 1800s. But their fall from greatness started with the advent of the British and poppy cultivation. It is said that poppy cultivation and consumption was introduced by the British since they couldn't take on the mighty Konyak Nagas in warfare. While working amongst the Kukis, we try our utmost to make the common village folks understand that not everything, the CM, N Biren Singh says about poppy has to be interpreted as communal. However, when he chastises the poppy growers he might as well be conservative in his choice of words so that rumour mongers don't paint him or his words as communal. If there are instances of such rhetorics coloured in communal words and tones, tensions are bound to rise and it could hamper good governance.
2. We would like your esteemed Office to kindly constitute a Study through a high-level committee comprising of state and Central govt. on why villagers started poppy cultivation in the first place. There were hardly any poppy fields 25 to 30 years back in the hills of Manipur. Our preliminary study points to the fact that neglect, bad governance or lack of governance in the hills could be the biggest reason driving ordinary cultivators to start planting poppies to generate revenue. As you know, the hill people are mostly Christians and poppy cultivation goes against their beliefs and value system. Instead of blaming the poor who sees poppy as a cash crop for sustenance and survival and using only threats, can we prepare a Strategic plan to provide alternative livelihood avenues? We will be more than ready to assist in any way possible.
3. The War on drugs led by the CM aims to completely wipe out the scourge of poppy cultivation which is well-received by all sections of society. However, there seems to be confusion in attributing all manner of deforestation, siltation of rivers and Loktak lake, dipping water tables, and drying up of natural springs in the hills to poppy cultivation. Jhoom cultivation is often overlooked and this problem also needs to be tackled in a very sensitive manner as it is a way of life for the hill tribes. The better approach would be a cooperative community approach. The law and law enforcement agencies should work for the people and their well-being and also tackle the problem in consultation with community leaders and the village chiefs rather than use the threat of collective punishment which seems to be the approach now. Rewarding chiefs who can ensure 100% free poppy village and assigning punishment and legal action against specific cultivators rather than using threats of arrest of Kuki Chiefs for the act of villagers should be a better strategy than the one adopted now. Collective punishments or blaming the chiefs for all poppy cultivation could backfire. When the Home Ministry has left no stone unturned to rehabilitate even extremists and insurgents through various means, we believe there must be a way to rehabilitate these cultivators as well..Had Narendra Modiji adopted collective punishment for Open defecation and Swaach Bharat, do you think it will garner that kind of support and goodwill? For Da N. Biren Singh who is our leader in the state, the entire state population is like his children, he must be given the support to provide alternative livelihood for the illegal poppy cultivators. All said and done, the action against poppy cultivation especially new fields must be taken at the earliest but it should be as per the law of the land.
4. In our study we have come across a few govt approved licenced legal farms in UP & MP. If that is so, can the Central govt. in consultation with the state explore such options. The pertinent point being raised is whether we can allow a few cultivators to legally grow the same in a few designated places for medicinal/anaesthetic purposes in a similar fashion as UP and MP. This is left to your wisdom and the govt. to see the feasibility of the proposed idea.
5. Give the appropriate powers to agencies to act against drug dealers and middlemen who are the critical component in the supply chain. The tribal population and the Kukis in particular would support the legitimate fight against drugs and illegal poppy cultivation provided they are made to stomach insults and community disparaging comments for illegals committed by a few of their own tribesmen. It's not only one community that is engaging in this cultivation. The govt. must stop the buyers first, when the market for poppies no longer remains viable why would these poor illiterate villagers grow poppies that they don't consume it themselves? Our policy should factor in the fact that as long as demands exist, gullible and destitute hillmen will fall victim to this easier form of cultivation and be preyed upon by the buyers from cities.
4. STOP CYBERBULLYING: The Govt. of the day must raise the level of public discourse to a higher level and fight cyber-bullying online. Even on social media platforms, the conversations and responses even from Govt. FB handles begin with a blame game. We would like the level of responses made on CM's FB page to be more statesman-like. The tribals and the Kuki community do not endorse poppy cultivation or consumption and support the Govt. In its effort to do away with poppy and other illegal drugs detrimental to the Manipuri society at large. We were elated with the CM's New year wish and were very hopeful for a fresh start for the year 2023. However, the mood is dampened once you go through the responses on FB CM's official handler's page. the person in question uses very blunt language which is crude and unpolished, every Kuki who raises an issue is called a poppy grower! Please direct the official FB handlers to raise their arguments and responses from the blame game to fighting the menace together. And threats must immediately cease, it does not affect us nor scare the public because we unfortunately are in the same team as the CM on this. Most intellectuals and bureaucrats amongst the tribal population and esp. Kukis are against poppy more than the CM himself because we know it will have a negative generational impact. Do not equate Kukis and tribals with poppy. The cultivators are not drug peddlers and they are not the typical Colombian drug lords, they are desperate-poor-illiterate farmers more than ready to stop the cultivation of poppies with a little help from the govt. This does not mean we support their actions but we understand their plight and empathise with them. If anyone breaks the law, we are a society based on the law. Take appropriate legal action and use the legitimate police force, but stop this threat from the state govt. Take action. We are very supportive of the CM's initiative on health, education and prohibition of drugs but cannot stomach the rhetorics. Corruption, nepotism and lack of opportunity are equally responsible for the desperate state of affairs in the hills of Manipur. We need to tackle our problems together. The CM in his address talks of unity and appreciates the initiative taken by the hill people to wean away the cultivators from poppy cultivation while the FB handle engages with the citizens a bit differently. This is not desirable. Can the CM media team be directed to look into this? Please.
5. The CM's recent meeting with his ministers on this issue where he proposed to tackle the problem in a more humane manner is a very encouraging and well-thought-out strategy. We are with him if the approach to our problems is driven by concern for the people and sustainability. The carrot and stick policy is the government's prerogative but of late we were approaching the poppy problem with more stick. May the meeting bear good results. However, care must be taken to stop rhetorics from diverting us from the real issues. Poppy is cultivated in almost all hill areas irrespective of tribes and therefore, it should be given the integrated approach you talked about and should not let armchair FB warriors sow seeds of enmity and discord when the topic of poppy is discussed. The supply chain must be disrupted. Kindly make plans to arrest the wholesale buyers who are based in the foothills or valleys. We are for a better Manipuri society and drugs cannot be condoned, not only is it illegal but it is also poisoning our society - be it the hill people or the valley. The state govt. proposal to provide alternative and sustainable farming for poppy cultivators and introduce high-value plantations and horticulture in the Hils. All these plans will require additional financial support from the Central govt. we urge you to provide the necessary assistance. The issue of poppy cultivation if not handled well could spin out of control and split the hills and valley on the issue. Kindly instruct the administration to tackle the issue with the sensitivity it requires.
Thanking you,
For and on behalf of MAPC Movement.
Victor Chongtham
Legal Advisor
Paotinlen Chongloui (Lenn)
President MAPCM
Dr. George T Haokip
General Secy. MAPCM
By:
Manipur Against Poppy Cultivation (MAPC)
Respected Amit Shahji,
We are delighted to welcome you to our state of Manipur and we are very grateful for your visit at the beginning of this calendar year, 2023. We represent a movement initiated by scholars, social and political thinkers, change agents, youths, and legal luminaries who unceasingly apply their knowledge and intellect for a better Manipur.
Manipur Against Poppy Cultivation (MAPC)
Respected Amit Shahji,
We are delighted to welcome you to our state of Manipur and we are very grateful for your visit at the beginning of this calendar year, 2023. We represent a movement initiated by scholars, social and political thinkers, change agents, youths, and legal luminaries who unceasingly apply their knowledge and intellect for a better Manipur.
As you may be aware, the menace of drugs and poppy cultivation has besieged the state of Manipur for a long time, and we as a community of intellectuals feel this is a very important issue that needs a multi-pronged approach. In addition to the CSOs and NGOs working on the said issue even before the incumbent govt. of Shri N. Biren Singh was in power in the state, the State govt. has also declared war on drugs. And the fight to eliminate the menace of drugs and poppy cultivation is going on in full force.
As a group that understands the problem from the perspective of the illiterate and marginalized cultivators, we intend to wean them away from the menace of poppy and would be exploring ways to provide alternatives either with the help of the state govt., or central govt. or the NGOs working closely with these people. We consider this fight to eradicate poppy as the peoples' fight and therefore, the question we posed to ourselves is: why should the CM of Manipur fight the fight against social ills that has the potential to destroy Manipuri society in particular hill people especially Kuki society all alone. However much we support the state govt. on its war on drugs, there are a few critical issues we would like to bring to your kind attention so that the fight against drugs and poppy cultivation is not only effective but humane.
1. The current rhetorics used on social media and a few official communication on the issue of poppy cultivation has been perceived as communal by many in the Kuki community and that is one crucial element, the state govt. must rectify on their own or they may be directed by your esteemed office to refrain from such divisive and community-blaming rhetorics. The one thing that can't be tolerated is someone lecturing a community and blaming a community as a whole. Not all tribals, Kukis and Nagas both, are poppy cultivators. In fact, many intellectuals in the tribal community have always been against poppy cultivation for years but because they can't provide an alternative livelihood to the poor and uncared-for villagers, they could not do much besides putting moral pressure and creating awareness. They have used the case study of the Konyak tribe and the ill effects poppy cultivation has on the whole tribe to drive home their point. Sir, the Konyak community was once the most advanced community in the NE and Indo Burma region in the middle of the 1800s. But their fall from greatness started with the advent of the British and poppy cultivation. It is said that poppy cultivation and consumption was introduced by the British since they couldn't take on the mighty Konyak Nagas in warfare. While working amongst the Kukis, we try our utmost to make the common village folks understand that not everything, the CM, N Biren Singh says about poppy has to be interpreted as communal. However, when he chastises the poppy growers he might as well be conservative in his choice of words so that rumour mongers don't paint him or his words as communal. If there are instances of such rhetorics coloured in communal words and tones, tensions are bound to rise and it could hamper good governance.
2. We would like your esteemed Office to kindly constitute a Study through a high-level committee comprising of state and Central govt. on why villagers started poppy cultivation in the first place. There were hardly any poppy fields 25 to 30 years back in the hills of Manipur. Our preliminary study points to the fact that neglect, bad governance or lack of governance in the hills could be the biggest reason driving ordinary cultivators to start planting poppies to generate revenue. As you know, the hill people are mostly Christians and poppy cultivation goes against their beliefs and value system. Instead of blaming the poor who sees poppy as a cash crop for sustenance and survival and using only threats, can we prepare a Strategic plan to provide alternative livelihood avenues? We will be more than ready to assist in any way possible.
3. The War on drugs led by the CM aims to completely wipe out the scourge of poppy cultivation which is well-received by all sections of society. However, there seems to be confusion in attributing all manner of deforestation, siltation of rivers and Loktak lake, dipping water tables, and drying up of natural springs in the hills to poppy cultivation. Jhoom cultivation is often overlooked and this problem also needs to be tackled in a very sensitive manner as it is a way of life for the hill tribes. The better approach would be a cooperative community approach. The law and law enforcement agencies should work for the people and their well-being and also tackle the problem in consultation with community leaders and the village chiefs rather than use the threat of collective punishment which seems to be the approach now. Rewarding chiefs who can ensure 100% free poppy village and assigning punishment and legal action against specific cultivators rather than using threats of arrest of Kuki Chiefs for the act of villagers should be a better strategy than the one adopted now. Collective punishments or blaming the chiefs for all poppy cultivation could backfire. When the Home Ministry has left no stone unturned to rehabilitate even extremists and insurgents through various means, we believe there must be a way to rehabilitate these cultivators as well..Had Narendra Modiji adopted collective punishment for Open defecation and Swaach Bharat, do you think it will garner that kind of support and goodwill? For Da N. Biren Singh who is our leader in the state, the entire state population is like his children, he must be given the support to provide alternative livelihood for the illegal poppy cultivators. All said and done, the action against poppy cultivation especially new fields must be taken at the earliest but it should be as per the law of the land.
4. In our study we have come across a few govt approved licenced legal farms in UP & MP. If that is so, can the Central govt. in consultation with the state explore such options. The pertinent point being raised is whether we can allow a few cultivators to legally grow the same in a few designated places for medicinal/anaesthetic purposes in a similar fashion as UP and MP. This is left to your wisdom and the govt. to see the feasibility of the proposed idea.
5. Give the appropriate powers to agencies to act against drug dealers and middlemen who are the critical component in the supply chain. The tribal population and the Kukis in particular would support the legitimate fight against drugs and illegal poppy cultivation provided they are made to stomach insults and community disparaging comments for illegals committed by a few of their own tribesmen. It's not only one community that is engaging in this cultivation. The govt. must stop the buyers first, when the market for poppies no longer remains viable why would these poor illiterate villagers grow poppies that they don't consume it themselves? Our policy should factor in the fact that as long as demands exist, gullible and destitute hillmen will fall victim to this easier form of cultivation and be preyed upon by the buyers from cities.
4. STOP CYBERBULLYING: The Govt. of the day must raise the level of public discourse to a higher level and fight cyber-bullying online. Even on social media platforms, the conversations and responses even from Govt. FB handles begin with a blame game. We would like the level of responses made on CM's FB page to be more statesman-like. The tribals and the Kuki community do not endorse poppy cultivation or consumption and support the Govt. In its effort to do away with poppy and other illegal drugs detrimental to the Manipuri society at large. We were elated with the CM's New year wish and were very hopeful for a fresh start for the year 2023. However, the mood is dampened once you go through the responses on FB CM's official handler's page. the person in question uses very blunt language which is crude and unpolished, every Kuki who raises an issue is called a poppy grower! Please direct the official FB handlers to raise their arguments and responses from the blame game to fighting the menace together. And threats must immediately cease, it does not affect us nor scare the public because we unfortunately are in the same team as the CM on this. Most intellectuals and bureaucrats amongst the tribal population and esp. Kukis are against poppy more than the CM himself because we know it will have a negative generational impact. Do not equate Kukis and tribals with poppy. The cultivators are not drug peddlers and they are not the typical Colombian drug lords, they are desperate-poor-illiterate farmers more than ready to stop the cultivation of poppies with a little help from the govt. This does not mean we support their actions but we understand their plight and empathise with them. If anyone breaks the law, we are a society based on the law. Take appropriate legal action and use the legitimate police force, but stop this threat from the state govt. Take action. We are very supportive of the CM's initiative on health, education and prohibition of drugs but cannot stomach the rhetorics. Corruption, nepotism and lack of opportunity are equally responsible for the desperate state of affairs in the hills of Manipur. We need to tackle our problems together. The CM in his address talks of unity and appreciates the initiative taken by the hill people to wean away the cultivators from poppy cultivation while the FB handle engages with the citizens a bit differently. This is not desirable. Can the CM media team be directed to look into this? Please.
5. The CM's recent meeting with his ministers on this issue where he proposed to tackle the problem in a more humane manner is a very encouraging and well-thought-out strategy. We are with him if the approach to our problems is driven by concern for the people and sustainability. The carrot and stick policy is the government's prerogative but of late we were approaching the poppy problem with more stick. May the meeting bear good results. However, care must be taken to stop rhetorics from diverting us from the real issues. Poppy is cultivated in almost all hill areas irrespective of tribes and therefore, it should be given the integrated approach you talked about and should not let armchair FB warriors sow seeds of enmity and discord when the topic of poppy is discussed. The supply chain must be disrupted. Kindly make plans to arrest the wholesale buyers who are based in the foothills or valleys. We are for a better Manipuri society and drugs cannot be condoned, not only is it illegal but it is also poisoning our society - be it the hill people or the valley. The state govt. proposal to provide alternative and sustainable farming for poppy cultivators and introduce high-value plantations and horticulture in the Hils. All these plans will require additional financial support from the Central govt. we urge you to provide the necessary assistance. The issue of poppy cultivation if not handled well could spin out of control and split the hills and valley on the issue. Kindly instruct the administration to tackle the issue with the sensitivity it requires.
Thanking you,
For and on behalf of MAPC Movement.
Victor Chongtham
Legal Advisor
Paotinlen Chongloui (Lenn)
President MAPCM
Dr. George T Haokip
General Secy. MAPCM
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