Pan shops go for open sale of drinks in Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Ukhrul, February 08, 2012: In the aftermath of nisha bandh movement lying dormant in Ukhrul, one is not surprised to find in a Pan shop more than what it usually offered earlier- an array of cocktail drinks lining up its shelf for customers.

In Manipur, sale of liquor is banned under the State Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991.Ironically, the way it is going on in Ukhrul looks like the Act does not apply in the town.

But a can of beer does not come easy but at a heavy price.

Pay a visit to some Pan shops in the town and pick your favourite brand from-Diablo, Foster, Kingfisher, Tiger, etc - all in varying sizes lining up in the shelf.

It is a neat business for some Pan shops.

A bottle of beer is sold at a flat rate of Rs.200.For a 200ml can of beer, one has to shell out Rs.100.But, for those who prefer a larger pint they have to pay Rs.200 for 500ml can.

In a tete-a-tete with some shopkeepers, it is learnt that the larger contrabands are brought from Dimapur, while some stock come from Myanmar.

The brands like Tiger, Diablo, which are illegally imported from Myanmar, cost about Rs.20 per can of 200ml and Rs.45 for a can of 500ml.Whereas, the Indian made drinks like Foster, Kingfisher of 500ml are available at Rs.55 in Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, which is also a dry state.

"The open sale (beer) picked up in later part of 2011.Why the civil societies are not reacting to it?" questioned Philazan Shangh, an Ukhrul based SOAR-EHA activist involve in harm reduction campaign.

In Ukhrul, as a matter of fact, hard drinks are sold though in clandestine manner.

The most worrying thing about the open sale of beer is that even minors are not barred from buying drinks.

In some instances, they are seen at night sipping from the can and loitering under intoxication.

Interestingly, the law enforcement agencies are turning a blind eye on the affair.

In the past years, the civil societies in Ukhrul had vociferously campaigned against liquor sale, but that, of late, is not seen anymore.

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