GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PRINTING NAHARLAGUN

NO.IPR(PR)86/2000                                                                                 Dated Naharlagun the May 28, 2005

PRESS RELEASE SL NO. 275

Naharlagun May 28- The Deputy Commissioner, Upper Siang District Shri Gamli Padu has conducted a tour programme to various villages under Mariyang Sub-Division recently, reports DIPRO i/c, Yingkiong.
After having seen that most of the people of the sub-division are involved in poppy cultivation, the Deputy Commissioner has directed the Circle Officer, Katan to destroy the poppy plants growing nearby the
roadside, keeping in view of its affects on socio-economic development of the society and after sensitization of the problems of opium addiction among the people. In order to solicit the cooperation from
grassroots level for eradicating consumption of opium, Shri Padu called a meeting in connection with the destruction and non-cultivation of poppy plant in the district on May 18 last. All the Administrative
Officers of the Sub- Division and Circles, Students organizations, prominent public leaders, GBs and NGOs of Mariyang Sub-Division and Yingkiong circle participated in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting the Deputy Commissioner apprised the members about the necessity of destroying the poppy plants and sensitizing the message about the ill effects of opium addiction in the district. He informed the public that consumption of opium affects the socio- economic development of the society along with debilitating affect on the health of the individuals. The Deputy Commissioner further stated that the cultivation of poppy plants and use of opium is illegal and should be stopped by constituting committees at the villages and circle
level. The committees at the village level should be comprised of HGB/GB/Teachers and other Panchayat leaders. He also recommended for holding of meetings on the issue from time to time.

The SDO Mariyang, Sri Rampok Perme informed that the destruction of poppy plant of Mariyang Sub- Division was made few years back by the Narcotic department. Even after that the People are cultivating the poppy plant in un-assessable areas where it was left untouched and sought cooperation from the grassroots level for eradicating the consumption of opium and destruction of its plant. Sri Onit Panyang, ADC (HQ) expressed his happiness for convening the first meeting of this kind on opium menace in the district headquarter involving different sections of societies and lauded the destruction of  poppy cultivation at Padu village by CO Katan as per the direction of Deputy Commissioner as a great achievement. He further suggested for a multi-pronged approach to contain and eradicate the menace of opium, while recommending for constitution of committees at village, circle and district level. 

Sri Eba Lingu, SP Yingkiong expressed his deep concern on the issue as the district of Upper Siang has been recorded as one of the opium consumption districts. While explaining the demerits of using opium, he appealed the NCC and student organizations to conduct awareness campaign on the issue, the report added.

(Purabi Taikam)
PRO,DIPR