Located near the Kangpokpi district headquarters, Haijang village has once again declared itself drug-free, highlighting strong customary laws and inter-generational guidance as the foundation of its success.
BY PC Bureau
January 4, 2026: In a state battling the corrosive impact of narcotics, Haijang Village in Kangpokpi district has emerged as a rare exception—publicly reaffirming a drug-free tradition that has endured for more than two centuries.
The historic Kuki village reaffirmed its drug-free tradition during a New Year Talent Night on Friday, held as part of the New Year celebrations in the Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency. The declaration was less an announcement than a reaffirmation of a social ethic that residents say has guided village life since its founding.
Established in 1823 by Helkhotong Chongloi, Haijang is among the oldest Kuki villages in Manipur. Remarkably, the community claims an unbroken record of being untouched by drug use, trafficking, or drug-related crime throughout its 200-plus-year history—an achievement virtually unparalleled in the region.
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Situated just a short distance from the Kangpokpi District Headquarters, Haijang marked its bicentennial in March 2023. Its long journey has intersected with major historical upheavals, including surviving World War II air raids and serving briefly as a strategic location for Japanese forces. Despite witnessing war, displacement, and political unrest, the village has preserved a strong sense of order, continuity, and moral discipline.
The declaration event was jointly organised by the Haijang Youth Club and the church youth body, Kuki Christian Khangthahte (KCK), under the theme “No to Drugs, Yes to Youth Development.” Senior officials, including the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi, representatives of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, and leaders from various civil society organisations, attended the programme.
Community elders and youth leaders said there has never been a documented case of drug abuse or drug-related criminal activity linked to Haijang Village. They attribute this record to deeply rooted customary laws, strong faith-based guidance, vigilant community oversight, and a culture of collective responsibility passed down through generations.
Rather than becoming a victim of social decay, the village has consistently produced achievers across sectors. Haijang’s residents include members of the armed and security forces, professionals in banking and administration, and individuals who have excelled academically and professionally at state, regional, and national levels.
The village has also earned national recognition through prominent figures such as Miss Barak Boishi Chongloi, Miss Bharat Lina Chongloi, and national Taekwondo gold medallist Hathoikim Chongloi—strengthening its reputation as a place where discipline, talent, and cultural pride flourish.
A key highlight of the programme was the felicitation of meritorious students and youth achievers, underscoring the village’s belief that sustained prevention begins with opportunity, recognition, and investment in young people.
Formally announcing the reaffirmation, Haijang Youth Club advisor Manga Chongloi said the declaration was not a symbolic gesture but the continuation of a long-standing social commitment. He noted that Haijang’s success lay in its emphasis on discipline, early moral education, and youth-led vigilance, adding that the village’s model could inspire similar initiatives across Manipur.
Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen also lauded the community, praising its unwavering resolve, strong leadership, and collective vigilance in preserving a drug-free environment for over two centuries.
As Manipur confronts a growing drug crisis, Haijang Village’s reaffirmation stands as a powerful counter-narrative—demonstrating that even amid instability and social strain, a united community can safeguard its values, protect its youth, and shape a hopeful future.
