Manipur: Kangpokpi village declares itself drug-free, upholding 200-year-old record

As drug abuse continues to damage families and neighbourhoods across Manipur, Haijang Village has publicly reaffirmed a rare distinction: more than two centuries without drugs, trafficking, or related crime.

 

One of the oldest Kuki settlements in the state, Haijang formally declared itself drug-free during a New Year Talent Night held on Friday, closing its New Year celebrations under the Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency.

 

The declaration was led by village youth bodies and endorsed by community leaders, marking a public recommitment to a legacy the village says it has upheld since its founding in 1823.

 

Situated a short distance from the Kangpokpi district headquarters, Haijang marked its 200th anniversary in March 2023. Village elders say no resident has ever been recorded as engaging in drug use or trafficking, a claim they attribute to strong customary laws, close-knit social oversight, and sustained guidance across generations.

 

The programme was jointly organised by the Haijang Youth Club and the church youth body Kuki Christian Khangthahte, under the theme “No to Drugs, Yes to Youth Development”. The event drew senior police officials from Kangpokpi, representatives of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, and leaders of several civil society groups.

 

 

Beyond its drug-free record, Haijang is known for a steady stream of academic and professional achievers, including personnel in the security forces, banking professionals, and youth recognised at state and national platforms. The village has also gained wider attention through national-level figures in pageantry and sports, reinforcing its emphasis on discipline and opportunity.

 

As part of the event, meritorious students and youth achievers were felicitated, a gesture organisers described as central to prevention efforts. “This is not a symbolic announcement,” said Manga Chongloi, Advisor of the Haijang Youth Club, while formally declaring the village drug-free. “It reflects a social commitment passed down for generations, with youth at its centre.”

 

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen praised the village for maintaining constant community vigilance and moral education, calling Haijang’s experience a model other communities could adapt.