Silchar: Members of the Mizoram Baptist Kohhran Hmeichhe Pawl – the women’s wing of the Baptist Church of Mizoram – will go on a fast to protest against the withdrawal of liquor ban in the state.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the organisation held last evening at Tlabung in Lunglei district.
P.S. Lalhmingthangi, organiser of the Pawl, told The Telegraph today that the opening of liquor shops in the Christian-dominated state had given birth to many problems. “Brewing of illicit liquor in the state is on the rise following the opening of liquor shops. Consumption of alcohol not only affects the health of a person, but will also create problems for the entire family,” she added.
Lalhmingthangi said they had observed that in the last few months many people created nuisance at home after consuming alcohol. “There were some people who did not drink, but soon after the withdrawal of the liquor ban they have now started consuming liquor. Opening of liquor shops has ushered a host of problems in our state.”
The Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014, which replaced the more stringent Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1995 (implemented two years later), became operational on January 16 last year.
Church leaders and members of a few NGOs had protested the sale of liquor in the state. But the Congress-led government was firm on its position and enforced the act successfully, The Telegraph reported.
The move saw the state earn around Rs 19.44 crore from the sale of liquor till September last year.
Asked about the date of the fast, Lalhmingthangi said they are yet to decide# the time, date and venue of their protest. “It will be decided in our executive committee meeting, which will be held soon. We will also appeal to the Mizoram government to ban open sale of liquor in the state,” she added.
BJP suspension
The internal conflict within Mizoram’s BJP has come wide open as the party suspended eight leaders for their alleged anti-party activities.
The president of the party John V. Hluna suspended eight leaders, including its vice-president Chalngura Zahau last evening.