Reacting strongly against the cabinet decision to regulate selling and brewing of liquor in Manipur, the Nongchup Imphal Mapem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL) on Saturday questioned if legalising liquor will reduce the crime rate and liver disease rate in the state.
Speaking to the media at the office of NIMPAL in Imphal West, secretary general of the lup S Shanti Leima strongly condemned the cabinet decision and said it is against the wish of the Ima (elderly women folks) of Manipur.
She said due to failure in imposing the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991, the rate of crime against women, domestic violence and number of widows have increased a lot in the last 30 years.
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It is unfortunate that the government cannot foresee the possible negative outcomes if liquor is legalised and sold openly, she added.
Shanti stated that the war on drugs mission of the state government was almost getting good results, however, the decision to legalise liquor is totally contradictory to the war on drugs.
Calling on the state government to revoke the cabinet decision to regularise liquor, the secretary general warned of various forms of agitation if the government legalises liquor in Manipur by going against the wish of Imas.
