Citizens of Mon town on Thursday undertook a mass rally under the banner of ‘I Love My Mon Town,' which aimed to spread awareness on cleaning the surroundings and voice out against illegal drug use and other intoxicants. (Photo courtesy: General Secretary, Nokhreih Ünok)
Mon, March 7 (MExN): More than a thousand citizens, including students, took to the streets in Mon Town on Thursday, March 7 as the Mon block civil society groups held a mass rally on the theme, ‘I Love My Mon town.’
According to the Konyak Union Mon Unit (KUMU), General Secretary, Nokhreih Ünok, the rally was held to voice their opposition to illegal drugs and intoxicants; and creating awareness on cleanliness drive.
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Beginning from the town’s Private Bus Station, the procession of students, civil society organisations and transport union members proceeded to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, where they submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner.
The letter stated that Mon town has been at war with drugs and is fighting an uphill battle to stop this menace. “We are at our wits end trying to bring in new measures to not only control but eradicate all forms of intoxicants from our town. This herculean task can only be possible with the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially from the bureaucracy and civil organisations,” it said.
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The KUMU also highlighted the poor quality of roads in Mon town which have not been repaired for the last 2-3 years. This causes undue difficulty for vehicle owners, school children, elderly people and accidents becoming a common occurrence. “It is so miserable with so many pits and breakages that it is always a danger to the traffic.” In addition, it stated that the people were suffering greatly due to the negligence causing piles of garbage at every corner emitting foul smell.
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The rally further adopted a number of resolutions which included advisory against letting room/space to any person indulging in “antisocial activities” and businesses against selling of intoxicants and illegal drugs. It informed on the formation of a body called the Thunder Bird Action Force, under the supervision of the KUMU, consisting of volunteers from the KNSK Mon Unit, Mon Area Students' Union, Tapi Area Students' Union, Mon Town Students' Union and the 11 wards of Mon Town. The volunteer body will conduct inspections without prior notice.
Citing frequent inspections, all the wards were asked to keep their surroundings clean and defaulters were warned of strict action.
