CADA slams pro-liquor statement of minister Susindro
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 15 2022:
Condemning the statement of CAF & PD minister Leishangthem Susindro, who reportedly contended that restriction on sale and consumption of liquor could not be effectively enforced in any locality , Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) has enquired whether the government will suggest legalisation of opium and heroin as the war on drugs campaign launched in 2018 is yet to reap fruit.
In a statement, CADA publicity secretary Khundongbam Anand posed whether the minister is unaware that the government should use police and excise to effectively implement Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1999 and restrict liquor in the state, As the government did not know its responsibilities, liquor is available everywhere.
Womenfolk, clubs, mei-ra paibi and CSOs are the only ones that restrict the consumption and sale of liquor in the state, he pointed out, while stating that the government should amend Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act and strengthen it if they seriously want to ban liquor.
Claiming that liquor cannot be restricted without taking up any initiative to restrict it is illogical, he added.
The government's war on drugs campaign launched since 2018 is not successful till now.
Will the government say that it would be better to legalize heroin, opium as the war on drugs campaign is not successful, he questioned.
Customary laws never encourage production of liquor commercially.
The massive production of liquor by taking advantage of customary law is due to the negligence of the government, Anand maintained, while making it clear that CADA never hinders in any development activities taken up by the government.
However, they will never accept any acts which will destroy the health of the society in the name of development and resource mobilization.
It would be wrong to mobilise resource by keeping an eye only on liquor, instead there are numerous other ways and sectors including tourism among others.
The state government and the minister failed to know about Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 where foreigners are allowed to take 150ml of liquor after taking permission from Commissioner of Excise by Tourism director.
CADA will never allow forceful legalisation of liquor in the state by making false propaganda that foreigners do not come to the state due to restriction on liquor, Anand asserted, while urging the minister not to spread such false propaganda.