Liquor Prohibition Act May Finally Be Removed From Mizoram

Aizawl, May 16  : Mizoram which has been ‘dry’ for the last 13 years may soon be wet again. After the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act was passed in the year 1997, the state government had prohibited sale, possession and consumption of any kind of liquor in the state.

But still one may see drunkards roaming around the streets of Aizawl or other villages every evening.

Given the situation, the state government had formed a Mizoram Study Group of MLTP Act to see the failures and success of the Act.

The study group had asked the opinions of various organization's in connection with the implementation of MLTP Act. The feedbacks will be submitted to the state government for further measures.

Meanwhile, the Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA) is of the view that the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act being enforced in the state does not yield the expected result.

Enforcement of the MLTP Act and its impact was discussed in the general body meeting of the MJA in Aizawl on Thursday.

Most of the speakers were in favor of lifting of the prohibition act. They pointed out multiplication of illegal liquor factories which produced polluted liquor harmful to health. The discussion was presided over by the MJA President, H.Zosangliana.

The MJA opinion comes after the Mizoram Study Group of MLTP Act questioned the association on whether lifting of MLTP in the state will be a better option or should be still enforce.

The study group also sought the opinions of various Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), an apex women body, Mizoram Academy of Letters (MAL), literature body and other social organizations to know their opinion on MLTP Act.

The various organizations in their feedbacks to the study group have expressed that the act is not a successful one as wine and liquor can be found abundantly.

By enforcing the Act, it only increases adulterated liquor and moreover the state government did not get any revenue from this business, the associations further said.

Various organizations in their suggestions to the study group had asked the government to lift the Act. “It is better to lift any Act if it is not yielding good results”, said president of the Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA) H Zosangliana.