Chief Minister leads in paying respect to Lamyanba Irabot
Unregulated alcohol will sound death knell of society : Biren
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, September 30 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh led the State in paying rich tributes to Lamyanba Hijam Irawat during the State-level observance of Hijam Irawat Day, 2022 at Irawat Square, Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnangkhong, today.
Speaking as the chief guest of the observance, N Biren said that pricing will play a significant role in controlling alcohol consumption in the State as people will no longer be able to drink unregulated liquor after legalisation.
Saying that he was terrified on seeing the findings of experts who came to check the process of brewing local liquor, N Biren continued that brewing liquor in aluminium pots and doing the distillation process in plastic containers is harmful and is the major factor for the rise of liver and kidney diseases in the State.
He further stated that the State would be ruined completely if unregulated brews packed in plastic bags continue to dominate the local market, urging all concerned to launch a drive against sale of illegal liquor in localities.
The Chief Minister also said that the Government and the public are working together as a team to take the State forward, assuring that the Government will never take up any work or policy which will harm or is against the interest of the State.
"As a democratic Nation, there will be some opposition when the State takes up a new policy but the Government will always work in the interest of the majority of the people," he maintained.
N Biren Singh called on senior police officers to launch a drive against sale of illegal liquor 'as the Government is preparing to implement liquor policy in the State' .
The primary concern of the Government on legalising liquor is to save lives, he said and added that the Government will not get any political advantage whether liquor is legalised or not.
Forest Minister Th Biswajit said that the Government has prepared a blueprint which spells out the dos and don'ts to be followed while brewing and drinking liquor and the same will likely be published within a week's time to initiate the legalisation process.
The Chief Minister said that the real meaning of observing Hijam Irawat Day will be realized when the people follow the footsteps of the leader and do some good for the society instead of simply offering tributes.
N Biren further stated that Hijam Irawat stood for the poor and worked to unite the people and had served the society in various capacities.
He was a poet, a journalist, theatre artiste, polo player, a leader and guide during the Nupi Lan of 1939, the Chief Minister said.
On issues related to student bodies' election, the Chief Minister appealed to all concerned to honour the liberty and freedom of students.
Their elections should be held at the earliest in a free and fair manner after proper consideration, he added.
The Chief Minister said that freedom of speech and freedom of press must not be put to wrong use.
Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said that Hijam Irawat believed in a strong and united Manipur, appealing to the younger generations to follow the ideal of unity propagated by the leader.
Ministers Govindas Konthoujam, L Susindro Meitei, Kashim Vashum, H Dingo, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, civil officials, police officials, students, also attended the programme among others.
As part of the observance, the Chief Minister led a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat while artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College performed songs written by Irawat.