Imphal, Sep 05: With the stated objective of checking the growing use of drugs, alcohol, Khaini, Talab and Zarda pan amongst the people of Manipur, three underground outfits, PREPAK, KYKL and UNLF have announced a ban on the sale and consumption of the said intoxicants.

A statement jointly signed by the Deputy Secretary, Publicity and Research, Apabi Mangang of the KYKL, R Meitei for the Dept of Publicity and Propaganda for PREPAK and Ksh Yoiheiba, Senior Publicity Officer, Dept of Publicity for UNLF said that the strictures will come into force from September 15.According to the three outfits anyone found smuggling heroin, kani, SP tablets and other drugs similar to the mentioned ones would be awarded the capital punishment without any trial.

Death penalty will also be awarded to those involved in smuggling in Zarda pan, Talab and Khaini as well as the traders involved in whole sale of the said items.

For those selling Zarda pan, Talab and Khaini in loose at the lanes and by lanes will be forced to shut their shop for one whole month.

If the guilty still do not fall in line but continue selling the same then their shops will be permanently closed down, said the statement.

Indian Made Foreign Liquor is not only injurious to health but also drains money from the State, said the three outfits and added that punishment to bootleggers and those involved in smuggling in the liquor will range from bullets on the legs to death penalty.

The three outfits further said that for those involved in brewing and selling country liquor, the punishment will range from impounding their wealth or a bullet on the leg or the two penalties.

As for those who consume the banned substance, the punishment will depend on the gravity of the crime and will even include the capital punishment, added the statement.

The three outfits further said that of now there will be no ban in brewing country liquor strictly for religious and traditional purposes.

However if the liquor is brewed for commercial purpose, then stern action will be taken up, they warned.

Acknowledging the drive taken up by different civil society organisations to curb the use of drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants, the statement said that there have been instances when the members of such organisations have been attacked and targeted.

Even misinformation campaigns have been launched to discredit the members of such organisations.

If such practices continue then fitting punishment would be awarded to those responsible for turning against the people who are engaged in anti-intoxicants drive.

The three outfits also advised the members of the civil society organisations not to go overboard while punishing the wrong doers and to give all a fair trial.

The guilty should not be treated like animals, added the statement.

Outlining the reasons for the stand adopted against drugs, alcohol and the other intoxicants, the statement said that Manipur has been hit hard by alcoholism, drug abuse and addiction to other substances and chemicals.

Not only has the dependence on these substances affected the health of many, but it has also drained a huge amount of money from the State.

A packet of Talab may cost just Rs 4 and a person accustomed to taking this item may spend just Rs 4 each day.

However if this is multiplied by three lakhs users then it works out to Rs 12 lakhs per day which in turn works out Rs 3.6 crore per month and Rs 43.2 crore per year.

For a poor State like Manipur this is a huge amount, observed the three outfits.

The same is the case with Indian Made Foreign Liquor.

The use of heroin amongst the youngsters has led to the fast spread of HIV/AIDS, said the statement and added that the new challenge today is tablets which are increasingly being used by the youngsters.

It is very difficult to detect a tablet consumer as it does not smell like alcohol.

Moreover tablet users are known to behave properly showing due respect to the elders.

Such young people usually keep to themselves and as tablets are cheap, they do not have to demand too much money from their elders.

It is only when the situation takes a turn for the worst that the problem is detected, said the three outfits.

The outfits also urged the people to extend all their co-operation to the drive to cleanse the society and to check the use of intoxicants so that the people of Manipur do not fall prey to addiction.

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