Four dead after consuming local liquor CADA blames State's inability to enforce liquor prohibition
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 30 2017:
The State Govt giving free hand to local brewers since long time back and its inability to effectively enforce liquor prohibition has led to the death of four persons yesterday and today after consuming liquor, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) said today .
In an attempt to stop brewing, selling, smuggling and consumption of liquor, the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act was enforced from April 1, 1991.However, the State Government's inability to effectively enforce liquor prohibition in Manipur has ultimately led to the dead of four persons in the last couple of days, CADA said .
Addressing media persons at its office located at Pureiromba Khongnang Makhong, Konung Mamang, president of CADA Yumnam Ratankumar said that four persons have died after consuming local liquor at Oinam Sawombung under Lilong AC yesterday while some others who consumed the liquor are admitted to different hospitals here .
Terming the incident very unfortunate, CADA president said the tragic incident happened due to Govt’s negligence to enforce the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act with full force .
He demanded that a thorough probe be initiated and fitting punishment be given to all those involved in the incident that led to the loss of lives .
Ratankumar further said that the death caused by drugs and alcohol outnumbered the death caused by Armed Forces Special Powers Act .
He also said that the Govt should give compensation to all the dead victims of yesterday incident as well as bear the treatment of those who are hospitalised .
The Excise and Police who could not allegedly enforce the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act should share the blame equally, Ratankumar said .
The Govt should take adequate measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and a resolution should be adopted in the ongoing Assembly session for enforcement of the Act effectively .
Addressing the press meet, general secretary of Nupi Samaj, Thokchom Ramani said that representatives of CADA and Nupi Samaj visited those persons who have been treated at different hospitals following the Oinam Sawombung incident .
She said that the present State Govt’s policy to export liquor to other States is very unfortunate .
Brewing of liquor with superfine rice and chemical to quicken fermenting and malting with commercial intention has caused tragic incident like that happened in Oinam Sawombung, she said.
If the Govt has the will to curb brewing, sale and consumption of liquor, it can do so without any difficulty, she added.