Protest against liquor legalisation continues
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12 2023:
The Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) in association with local womens' groups staged a sit-in protest around 2 pm today at Konthoujam Mamang Leikai under Imphal West district.
As per a statement issued by CADA, the protest is a continuation of the ongoing democratic agitation undertaken by CADA against the State Cabinet's September 20, 2022 decision to partially lift the prohibition on alcohol.
The sit-in protest was jointly organised by All Manipur Women Social Reformation & Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), Konthoujam Mamang Leikai Women's Society and CADA.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest, Bimola, president, Konthoujam Mamang Leikai Women's Society stated that they will never accept unrestricted sale and manufacture of alcohol in the State.
Reacting against the Government's statement emphasizing on the consumption of "good quality liquor", she expressed her disbelief and questioned how good any type of liquor would be.
Highlighting the ramifications of alcohol abuse, she maintained it does not only harm the one consuming alcohol but the damage extends to their family, children, spouse and so on.
She further claimed that many instances of domestic abuse meted out towards women are connected to alcohol abuse.
"There was already a widespread negative impact of alcohol abuse on society despite alcohol prohibition.
Under such circumstances, what will be the state of society when sale and manufacture is allowed to carry on freely?" she questioned.
Dipanjit Ningthoujam, vice president, CADA also spoke by the sideline of the protest and called for strengthening of the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act and strict enforcement of the same instead of legalising alcohol.
The protestors raised many slogans demanding revocation of alcohol legalisation and urged the State Government to save people from alcohol abuse.