After a dry New Year and Christmas celebrations, Mizoram is going to celebrate the Chapchar Kut festival too without liquor as the MNF government has extended ban on liquor in the state.
The Mizo National Front (MNF) government in Mizoram has further extended the ban on liquor from January 15 to March 10 this year. A notification issued by the government recently said that the dry days of the state have been extended from January 15 to March 10 this year.
“The dry days have been extended from January 15 to March 10 2019 keeping in view the Republic Day and Chapchar Kut celebrations and ensuring a peaceful ambience during the functions,” said the notification issued by the government.
Also read: Mizoram celebrates dry Christmas
The MNF government that came to power in December last year decided to impose liquor ban in the state and declared dry days from December 21, 2018 to January 14 2019. Chief Minister Zoramthanga had earlier also stated that the government will try to bring a legislation to ban liquor completely.
The MNF swept the Mizoram polls held on November 28 last year by securing 26 seats in the 40-member House. While the results of the polls are declared on December 11, the MNF chief Zoramthanga took oath of office and secrecy as the CM on December 15. On December 18, he declared dry days from December 21 2018 to January 14, 2019.
Mizoram has been a dry state from 1997 till 2015. However, the previous Congress government that came to power in 2008 lifted the ban on liquor in 2015. Following the lifting of the ban, liquor shops thrived in the Christian majority state.
The Congress justified that the lifting of the ban and said that it had not only generated revenue for the state but also reduced the spurious liquor related deaths and eventualities related to booze related accidents.
A complete liquor ban is, however, on top of the agenda of the MNF. The Church bodies in Mizoram have also supported total ban on liquor.