CADA holds special GB meeting; continues protest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 12 2023:
Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) held a special general body meeting for the ongoing term 2022-25 at its Pureiromba Khongnang Makhong, Konung Mamang head office here around 11am on Sunday.
As per a press release issued by CADA secretary general Geetchandra Mangang, the meeting, which was convened following the resignation of Information & Publicity secretary Khundongbam Anand due to personal reasons, was chaired by CADA president Hijam Priyokumar.
The meeting approved the resignation and appointed executive member Longjam Brojen Angomcha as the Information & Publicity secretary.
The meeting also unanimously resolved to Continue the ongoing anti-liquor legalisation protests until the government withdraws its decision.
Meanwhile, CADA in association with All Manipur Women Social Reformation & Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) and Konthoujam Mamang Leikai Women's Society staged a sit-in protest against legalisation of liquor in the state at Konthoujam Mamang Leikai on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking on the sidelines, Women's Society president Ima Bimola remarked that many young people in the state have started consuming liquor openly, following the government's approval.
She then denounced the decision and questioned how legalisation of liquor could be considered good when the youth are lying drunk on the side of the road, families are being tom apart and domestic violence against women is on the rise.
As such, she demanded the government to withdraw its decision at the earliest.
CADA vice president Dipanjit Ningthoujam said that the government's decision to legalise alcohol on the pretext of being unable to keep a watch over it is a bad decision.
Instead, efforts should be made to strengthen the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act so as to ensure the prohibition is implemented in an effective manner, he added.
During the sit-ins, the protestors shouted slogans like "No to legalisation of liquor in Manipur", "Withdraw cabinet's decision", and "Save the people of Manipur", according to a release signed by CADA Information & Publicity secretary L Brojen Angomcha.
CADA, Nupi Samaj and Mutum Phibou Mahila Mandal also staged sit-in protests at Mutum Phibou Keithel community hall, Imphal West district on Saturday.
Speaking at the protest venue, CADA vice president Dipanjit Ningthoujam asserted that if prohibition is implemented strictly, then the crime rate will automatically decrease in the state.
Hence, the government must revoke its decision and form a strong anti liquor policy, he further stated.
Similarly, Nupi Samaj, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), Apunba Teng-bang Lup Kha Jiri Mamang Leikai and CADA jointly staged a sit-in protest at Kha Jiri Mamang Leikai, Imphal West district.
One of protesters, AMKIL president Lourembam Nganbi stated that women of the state have been very active for banning liquor in the state since 1970s.People with liquor problem ignore their family with women and children being at the receiving end of the ill-effect of liquor.
At a time when such issues are arising despite prohibition what will be the situation when the liquor is legalised, she posed.
The protestors held placards and shouted slogans demanding revoking the order of legalising liquor.