Talk with CADA today, says Susindro
CADA refutes, says talk offer rejected
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2022: In view of the series of protest demonstrations being staged after the Cabinet partially lifted the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 on September 20 last, the State Government has invited Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) and Nupi Samaj for talks.

The talk will be held on September 30 at 10 am, said CAF & PD Minister L Susindro during an inaugural programme of a community hall and SHG building at Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, today.

CADA, however, said that they will not hold any dialogue with the Government as announced by the CAF & PD Minister on legalising liquor.

Speaking to the media at Palace Compound, CADA secretary general Geet-chandra Mangang said that statement given by the Minister was baseless.

Talk with CADA today, says Susindro

He said that the Government sent an invitation for talks earlier but CADA turned it down.

CADA will not hold any dialogue with the Government until the latter furnishes a white paper on the benefit of legalising liquor, he reiterated.

Meanwhile at Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, the CAF & PD Minister stated that the section of people who have been disapproving the move to legalise liquor might be those who are impacted by alcohol abuse directly.

He said that the Government, however, will not allow sale of liquor at localities without taking due approval and increase the legal age for drinking from 18 to 21 to control alcohol-related crimes after implementing a new liquor policy.

Saying that the Liquor Prohibition Act was not effective despite being in enforcement for three decades as many continue to brew liquor as a custom, Susindro reasoned that the Cabinet agreed on lifting prohibition so as to regulate the process of brewing and make fine liquor available to the people.

He further stated that a team of Government representatives went to Goa recently and checked the process of manufacturing liquor.

Maintaining that the team of experts who came to Manipur observed that the local liquor being brewed in aluminium pot contains harmful chemicals and are not fit for consumption, the Minister continued that the figure of liver cancer patients in Manipur continues to rise as local brew being distilled in aluminium pots is poisonous.

He also said that a large chunk of funds from Chief Minstergee Hakhselgee Tengbang (CMHT) is being spent on treating liver patients alone.

"If liquor is legalised, there won't be any need for mothers to spend nights in waiting sheds to prevent alcohol-related crimes as the Government will penalise anyone who defies the liquor policy," Susindro added.