Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa today suggested that the state government come up with a concrete and comprehensive policy to contain opium menace in the state.
The Governor's suggestion came after the issues of opium addiction and poppy cultivation in Upper Siang district was raised to him by a delegation of Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS), an NGO.
Rajkhowa expressed concern on the issue and advised Tax & Excise Commissioner Dr B M Mishra to bring out a comprehensive proposal, a Raj Bhawan communique said.
During his tenure as deputy commissioner in Lohit district, Mishra did a commendable job in opium eradication in the district.
Appreciating the efforts of the NGOs in different parts of the state, particularly the laudable work carried out by the Upper Siang Chapter of APWWS, the Governor suggested that drug awareness be introduced in school curriculum.
The women representatives appraised Rajkhowa the activities of the NGO in destroying opium fields and organising awareness campaigns in various villages of the district.
They also informed him that they have been working on their own without financial assistance from the state government and requested the Governor for monetary help, the communique added.
