As the State Cabinet decided to lift prohibition in Manipur, three decades after liquor prohibition was enforced, Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA), civil society organisations leaders and mothers of the state staged a sit-in protest at Keishampat Leimajam Community Hall on Friday.
After the peaceful sit-in protest, the protesters stormed towards Raj Bhawan but the police blocked them in front of the Electricity Department office, which resulted in a confrontation between the two. Later, a large police force arrived at the spot and dispersed the rally.
Mothers, who attended the protest, asked what is meant by good and hygienic liquor and whether all products that could not be banned should be legalised. They also asked whether legalised liquor will not harm one’s health and what about the crimes or violence against women and children due to alcohol?
Speaking to the media, general secretary of CADA, Geetchandra Mangang said that the state ranked fifth in the list of top alcohol consuming states as per the National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-21.
The state government’s War on Drugs is to stop drug abuse in the state but the government decided to lift the prohibition on liquor and this shows that the government is only worried about revenue, he said.
“We demand a white paper from the government so that the public may discuss the merits and demerits of it (partial-lift of ban). But the government failed to respond to the demands,” Geetchandra said, adding that the protest will continue.
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