Chakpa Andro hails Govt decision, says will improve economy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 24 2022: Chakpa group of Andro has lauded the state government's decision to lift liquor prohibition Act from certain areas and the steps taken for export local liquor by producing it in a scientific and standard manner.

Welcoming the government's decision, a public meeting was held on Saturday at Andro bazar.

A large number of people of Chakpa group, who attended the meeting, also shouted several slogans in support of the government's decision to legalise sale and use of liquor in certain areas and export of local liquor to enhance the state's economy.

During the public meeting, Andro Khullakpa Sagolsem Chandra Meitei said that liquor is part and parcel of the lives of Andro people beginning from birth to death since time immemorial and it remains as an inseparable item in religious rituals and other events.

On the first Sunday of Langban month of Meetei calendar every year, Chapka people observe 'Lam Haiba' and produce liquor to present the same to departed forefathers with ritual, which is being practiced by every Pana of Chakpa group till date and hence liquor will ever remain as inseparable item for Chakpa people, Chandra said.

While lauding the government' decision, former Andro Municipal Council chairperson Yumkhaibam Shajou said that legalisation of liquor and production of local liquor in scientific way will not only prevent people from drinking spurious liquor but will also saves lives of many youths.

This will also enhance economy of the state, he said, adding that people of Andro, Phayeng, Sekmai and Khurkhul have been producing liquor since time immemorial and used the same as an important and inseparable item in religious rituals and other social events.

He also said that liquor has been a source of income for many poor families in Andro.

The government's decision to legalise liquor indeed is a step to bring liquor produced in Andro to the global stage and this will enable Andro liquor to compare with other precious liquors of the world, Yumkhaibam Shajou said and suggested that there will be no problem in the society if liquor legalisation is implemented after through discussion with all stakeholders and frame a proper policy.

All Andro Meira Paibi Association secretary Yumkhaibam Usharani, who also attended the public meet, said that Andro people thank the government for taking a decision to legalise liquor.

She also said that a collective effort is needed to produce standard local liquor so that it does not harm the health of the consumers.

She then appealed to people who are opposing liquor legalisation to think deeply and work together with those supporting liquor legalisation as time may bring numerous changes.

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