The proposed move of the Manipur Government to pass the Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment Bill), 2018 has met with stern opposition from various sections of people, mainly, civil voluntary organizations.
While All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), a women organization on Saturday took out a rally on the street in Imphal, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) also organized a sit-in demonstration at different parts of the State, against the bill.
The protestors took out a rally at Keishampat and marched towards the Chief Minister’s office.
However, they were intercepted by security forces and only five representatives were allowed to submit their demands to the Chief Minister.
Sit-in demonstrations were also held at different parts of Imphal.
The demonstrators said when 53 per cent male and six per cent female consume liquor in the State, the decision to produce liquor and export is surprising.
It asked that if exporting liquor outside Manipur will prevent state people from taking alcohol.
The controversial bill introduced on the floor of the House on Friday is likely to be passed in the next sitting on Monday.
The agitators also pointed out that 30 per cent of crime rate in Bihar was reduced in a month when liquor was banned in the entire State.
It asked why the State Government is determined in the production of alcohol instead of taking initiatives to resolve the on-going Manipur University impasse.
Manipur was declared a dry state on 1991. But in 2002, the ban was lifted in the five hill districts of Manipur through the Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2002.
In 2015, the Congress government led by Okram Ibobi also attempted to lift liquor prohibition from the State.
However, the proposed move failed to materialize.