Newmai News Network
Imphal: The Manipur government’s decision to lift the Liquor Prohibition Act attracted strong opposition from many organisations who have been campaigning against the abuse of drugs and alcohol in the state.
While decrying the decision, All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj, shortly known as Nupi Samaj and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) alleged the incumbent government had disregarded the voices of the people.
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The bodies urged the state government to revoke the decision while insisting that the government enforce the Prohibition Act in an effective way instead of legalizing liquor.
Joining the chorus objecting to the legalization of liquor, Janata Dal (United) condemned the decision of the government which came amid the untold miseries being faced by the people due to the protracted ethnic violence in the state.
Addressing a press conference at its office in Imphal JD(U) spokesperson Dr Nimaichand Luwang questioned the logic behind the hasty decision of the government.
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He said that the government is expecting to collect Rs 600 per year as revenue from legalizing liquor. “But, what the question is to ask is whether the revenue collected from it will be able to save the future generation?”
He said that the legalization of liquor would have a great negative impact on youngsters who are the future pillars of the nation.
As the decision was taken at a time when the state is reeling under severe crisis, the JD(U) strongly condemned the government, he said.
This development in the government showed that the people in the government do not care for the people who are suffering untold miseries due to protracted ethnic violence, he also said.
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Leaders of the Manipur unit of JD(U) including its president, vice-president and other functionaries also attended the press conference.
“Instead of finding ways to resolve the conflict, the state BJP leaders had celebrated the victory of the party in other states of the country even as the people of the state had refrained from celebrating Ningol Chakouba, one of the biggest festivals of the state,” the JDU leaders said.
“The people forgo the festival as a mark of mourning for the departed souls of those who died in the ongoing ethnic violence while the BJP celebrated its victory in other states,” Dr Nimaichand Luwang lamented.
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