Even as the state government remains firm on its decision to partially lift prohibition, opinion is sharply divided among sections of the general public and also in the social media.
While pro-prohibition groups like Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and Nupi Samaj have called for rolling back the Cabinet decision, the Chakpa group in Andro have hailed the decision.
A meeting was held on Saturday between Excise department officials of Goa and Manipur with Chief Minister N Biren Singh in attendance at the CM Secretariat and explored the possibilities of producing quality local brew in the state, sources said.
On lifting of prohibition, the chief minister had stated that the Cabinet decision was taken after holding thorough discussion and taking recommendation from committees formed earlier in this regard.
Meanwhile, Chakpa Group, Andro has decided to support the state cabinet’s decision to lift prohibition on liquor and resolved the same during a public meeting on Saturday at Andro Bazar in Imphal East.
Speaking to the media on the sideline, chief of Andro Sagolshem Chandra said the people of Andro appreciate the decision of the state cabinet on legalisation of DIC liquor in Manipur.
For some communities, including Andro, manufacturing of DIC liquor has been a tradition since time immemorial. DIC liquor has been the main item which is used while worshiping local deities, including during the occasion of a birth ceremony or death ceremony, Chandra said.
As for Andro, every household manufactures DIC liquor at their respective houses and offer it to their forefathers on first Sunday of Langban (lunar calendar) as ‘Lam Haiba’, he said, adding that manufacturing of DIC liquor cannot be stopped for Andro as it is a part of its tradition.
Former chairperson of Andro Municipal Council Yumkhaibam Sajou Khuman, said manufacturing of DIC liquor has been a part of tradition of Andro people. He appreciated the decision of the state cabinet to lift prohibition on liquor from Manipur.
With the initiatives of the state government, the DIC liquor of Manipur, including Andro, could compete at international level. This will not only boost the economy of the state but will also promote the DIC liquor of Manipur at international level, he added.
He said people of Andro are also aware of the impact of DIC liquor to health. However, if the liquor is manufactured with certain regulation, then adulteration in DIC liquor could be prevented. People of Andro have been manufacturing and selling DIC liquor with different techniques without maintaining a standard quality. However, if the liquor is legalised in the state under certain regulation, then the impact on health due to consumption of DIC liquor could be prevented at maximum, said Sajou.
He further appealed to the CSOs, local bodies and others to support the decision of the state cabinet and cooperate while drafting a regulation.
During the meeting people also raised slogans in support of the decision such, “we support CM Biren”, “We support the BJP government”, “we support the legalisation of liquor” and others.
The meeting was held under the banner “We support Government’s Decision on Step to legalise exporting of Distilled Indigenous Country (DIC) Liquor”.
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