Namsai, Jun 21: A review meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here on Friday to deliberate on a range of district issues, including language preservation, environmental protection, and substance abuse.
The meeting saw participation from Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, district officials including the DC and SP, local administrative heads, representatives from civil society organisations such as TKSC, TKDS, SWS, CVC, ATKSSU, ANDSU, ANAYA, and Tai Khamti cultural and religious institutions.
Key discussions focused on the promotion of the Tai Khamti language in government and private schools, the appointment of language teachers in monasteries, and plans to preserve manuscripts and heritage through a proposed Research and Development Centre at Chongkham. Mein directed the Rural Works Department to expedite the construction of the centre.
Participants also discussed ecological concerns. The meeting resolved to enforce a two-year ban on fishing and strengthen restrictions on illegal hunting. The district administration was directed to install signage to raise public awareness. Expansion of green cover under the "Ek Ped Maa ke Naam" campaign and school-based plantation drives were also approved.
Drug abuse and rehabilitation emerged as a key topic. Mein instructed strict adherence to operational standards for drug de-addiction centres and offered an incentive of Rs 10 lakh to any village in his constituency that attains drug-free status.
The deputy chief minister also proposed celebrating Nadi Utsav with a symbolic release of fishlings into rivers as part of ecological conservation efforts.
MLA Namchoom urged for intensified plantation efforts and called for coordinated action by the administration, forest and police departments, and community-based organisations to curb illegal timber operations. He also encouraged the cultivation of cash crops to reduce dependency on illicit opium production.
The meeting concluded with a consensus among attendees to work collaboratively towards the development of the district.
