Protests continue against liquor legalisation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2022: Amid divisions in the state with one section of the society supporting liquor legalisation and the other opposing the decision, protest against the government's move to legalise production and sale of liquor continued in different parts of the state on Tuesday.

Nupi Samaj and Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai Meira Paibi Association jointly organised a sit-in protest at Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai community hall, Imphal demanding the government to withdraw the decision.

Speaking at the protest, Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai Meira Paibi Association treasurer Keisham Rani declared that they strongly oppose the decision of the state government to legalise liquor and demanded withdrawal of the same at the earliest.

She said that the negative impact of liquor consumption on families and society outweighs the economic benefits that the government has been foreseeing.

Despite the prohibition, the state had witnessed many instances of crimes committed under the influence of liquor, domestic violence, broken families and social implications let alone the negative health impact.

In the event of legalising liquor, many will now openly drink even in front of Meira Paibi members and there will be no room for moral policing, she said.

Keisham Rani also said that even if the CM himself comes to the locality and declare the permission, they will not allow such acts and will continue to ban liquor sale.

They are ready to face any consequences in this regard, she affirmed.

Nupi Samaj president Th Ramani said that Meira Paibi associations across the state have been enforcing liquor prohibition for over 50 years.

Despite the ban, they have come across many violent crimes due to liquor consumption and it has always been the Meira Paibi activists who came forward and resolved such issues.

They cannot accept the legalisation even if the government is taking the decision after studying for two years or 10 years and will continue the protest until the government withdraws the legalisation decision, she declared.

At the same time, CADA Bishnupur district committee and Thinungei Apunba Meira Paibi Nupi Lup jointly organised a sit-in protest at Thinungei Keithel, Bishnupur district on Tuesday.

Protestors demanded the government to withdraw the decision to legalise liquor at the earliest.

Different district committees and local units of CADA also organised sit-in protests at Lamdeng Makha Leikai along with Lamdeng Meira Paibi; at Moirangkampu Sajeb along with Moirangkampu Sajeb Women's Welfare Association, Chingkheihunba VLF; at Keirao Wangkhem along with Wangkhem Nongmai Leima Apunba Meira Paibi Lup; at Hiyanglam Waikhom Leikai along with Hiyanglam Waikhom Leikai Meira Paibi on Tuesday.

The protestors highlighted issues pertaining to liquor legalisation and its impact on the individual families and society as well as the future generations while demanding early withdrawal of the decision.

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