AYA asked to lead crusade against drug menace

ZIRO, May 06: Addressing the pressing issue of drug menace, which looms large over the Apatani plateau, national vice-president for Bharatiya Janata ST Morcha and prominent Apatani youth leader Nani Opo urged the Apatani Youth Association (AYA) to lead the crusade against this threat.

Opo made these remarks as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of an inter-village football tournament organized by the AYA as part of their ongoing Golden Jubilee celebration.

He highlighted the pivotal role played by former AYA leaders in the 1970s and 1980s in shaping the destiny of the Ziro plateau.

Opo commended AYA's significant contributions in eradicating social taboos such as child marriages, face tattooing, and in infrastructure development like widening village roads and streets, which continue to be hallmarks of the region.

The youth leader, however, noted that contemporary society faces new challenges, notably the drug menace, which requires concerted efforts to be eradicated.

He also emphasized the issue of encroachment along the National Highway from Pai Gate to Pine Grove, urging encroachers to remove their structures to facilitate further development along the highway.

Guest of Honour and Diibo ZPM Bamin Gumbo encouraged AYA to collaborate with the District Administration to maintain the tournament, emphasizing its role in nurturing the talents of young footballers.

Gumbo highlighted Ziro Valley's history of producing prominent state and national-level footballers.

Special invitee and 60th BN ITBP commandant Shailendra Singh Nagarkoti appealed to the people of Ziro Plateau, especially AYA, to involve ITBP in social welfare activities in the valley.

He expressed ITBP's willingness to participate in initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, relief and rehabilitation works, and medical camps.

The final match of the football tournament was between Hari Youth Football Club (HYFC) and All Hong Youth Association (AHYA) in which the former emerged victorious with a two-to-one scoreline.

While Kago Duyu from AHYA received the best player award, Bullo Khoda from AHYA was adjudged as the highest scorer of the tournament.

Hage Tayo received the best goal award while Mudang Tage Youth Association received the fair play team trophy.