Manipur women’s body rejects govt draft liquor regulation policy

Women’s bodies and pressure groups in Manipur on Sunday rejected the draft regulation policy issued by the state government while reaffirming its stand against the government move to legalize liquor.
All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) reiterated that the apex body will not compromise its stand under any condition. Reiterating its demand to declare the government’s stand on whether the decision will be rolled back on not on October 10 (today), Nupi Samaj president Th Ramani threatened the government to get ready to face the wrath of imas (mothers). As a part of its series of protest against the government move, womenfolk of Heirangoithong area in Imphal West district today staged demonstration in their locality under the aegis of the Nupi Samaj.
Taking part in the protest, the Nupi Samaj president alleged that the decision of the state government led by chief minister N Biren Singh was in total contradiction with the expectation of the people of the state. “We never expected that chief minister N Biren Singh would take such a decision. It is beyond our expectation that such a chief minister who always talked for the wellbeing of the masses will take such a decision against the people,” she said.
“We thought that people of the state will lead a better life under his leadership as chief minister. But, all went in vain,” she added.
In a bid to pacify objections to the cabinet decision, the state government recently circulated a draft regulation policy for legalization of liquor through social media. The draft regulation policy has eight aims and objectives which include among others eradication of distillation, transportation, possession, consumption and sale of illicit liquor and restricting availability of local liquor as well as IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor)/FMFL (Foreign Made Foreign Liquor). Reducing the impact of illicit and adulterated liquor on health, reducing the demand of intoxicating drinks, addressing the menace of illegal drugs, generating employment, generating revenue of the state and addressing the problem of black marketing of liquor on account of ‘prohibition’ were other aims and objectives of the government decision to partially lift the prohibition on liquor.
Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA), a CSO leading a campaign against liquor and other intoxicants in the state had already rejected the policy and demanded rollback of the cabinet decision.
The body also declared that they will extend all its possible support to Nupi Samaj against the government decision.