Churches objects to reviewing prohibition
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Aizawl, March 09 2014: Opposing the Mizoram government's plan to review and repeal the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act (MLTP Act) being strictly enforced in the State, churches across the State held mass prayer today.

Earlier, Mizoram Synod, the highest administrative body of the largest Church denomination Mizoram Presbyterian Church of India had issued appeal and notification to all its church members to conduct the mass prayer on March 9.The subject of the prayer programme being opposing the plan to review and repeal the Liquor Prohibition Act (MLTP Act 1995) .

The Synod letter reads, "Liquor being destructive to the flesh as well as the soul, therefore, it requires prohibition" .

The Church apex body further stated that the Synod is against the plan to make liquor free, mentioning that even the resolutions taken in the 250th Synod Executive Committee included an appeal to be made to the government to keep MLTP Act unchanged but rather strengthen it.

Accordingly, in order liquor is not made free but continue to be prohibited further, a mass prayer may be held in every local church, Synod made a call to the Church members across State.

Meanwhile, according to sources, Mizoram Excise Minister R Lalzirliana said the Bill to replace MLTP Act shall be tabled in the next assembly session beginning March 18 .

There have contrast opinions on the continuation of the Liquor Prohibition Act in Mizoram.

In September, 2012, the State Prohibition Council, headed by its chairman who was also the minister in charge of Excise and Narcotics J.H.Rothuama had examined the Study Group report on Mizoram Liqour Total Prohibition Act, 1995 .

Mentionably, the State Prohibition Council had on January 24, 2011, constituted a Study Group who would conduct an in-depth study on Mizoram Liqour Total Prohibition Act, 1995 which has been in use for about 14 years as to whether it is successful, what's the public opinion on it, its effects, and whether it is good to continue enforcing the prohibition Act.

As such, the Study Group, under the guidance of H.Raltawna, IAS (Rtd), took necessary steps carefully and had formed another sub group to study on the effects of liquor on economic and society.

Besides, the Study Group had collected the opinions and views of various organizations on the success and failure of the Liquor Prohibition Act.

Experts from Mizoram University also had studied the effects of liquor on Mizo youths and women.

Moreover, the Study Group conducted an in-depth study by collecting the records of the number of persons caught due to violation of the Act as well as the number of liquor caught and how the violators are persecuted, from Excise & Narcotics and Police department, besides conducting a study on the effects of liquor consumption on health through medical experts? .

After considering all such, the Study Group came to the conclusion that the main reason for the difficulty in making the Total Prohibition Act successful is due to high demand and it is necessary to take steps to lower the demand.

The Study Group also concludes that if the Total Prohibition Act is to be continued the Excise & Narcotics Department needs to be stronger.

And also that some changes have to be made in MLTP Act, 1995, the Study Group added in the report submitted to the State Prohibition Council.

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