Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh says drug trafficking routes shifted following the 2023 ethnic crisis. Most illicit trade now flows through Mizoram. Smaller amounts still move from Moreh to Churachandpur using roads built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Kwakta remains the primary distribution hub.
Khemchand addressed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Imphal. He described a grim situation in local areas. He recently met with civil society groups in Kwakta. They provided a staggering assessment of the local drug problem. "Nearly 70 percent of the youths in the area are indulging in drugs," the Chief Minister said.
Peddlers are fueling this fire. They let users buy narcotics on credit to secure easy sales. This tactic leaves neighborhoods like Moirang, Kumbi, and Thanga vulnerable. Khemchand called on local clubs and organizations to help fix the state.
The drug landscape has changed since the late seventies. Back then, heroin was a luxury for the rich. Now, addiction hits hard regardless of income or background. Data from the Social Welfare Department shows many addicts are under 20. Commissioner Robert Singh Kshetrimayum blamed peer pressure and curiosity for the spike. He said that many talented youths fail to reach their goals because of substance abuse.
Khemchand pointed to sports as a vital defense for the younger generation. He believes active participation keeps kids away from illicit substances. During the event, representatives from a private rehab center and the Welfare Association of Blind, Manipur, presented the Chief Minister with formal memorandums.
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