Move to Legalise Liquor Draws Escalating Protest Across Manipur

IMPHAL: The move to legalise sale and consumption of liquor has not gone down well in Manipur. Chief Minister N Biren Singh's statement advocating the decision runs into a hail of protest across the state. Only a section of the people has come in support of the decision.

Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai Meira Paibi Association and Nupi Samaj have jointly organised a sit-in protest at Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai community hall in the capital city of Imphal on Tuesday demanding immediate cancellation of the move.

The agitating leaders of the Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai Meira Paibi Association said that they won't relent until and unless the decision is kept in abeyance. They said that they would intensify the protest in the nook and corner of the north eastern state.

They observed that economic benefit can't be encouraged at the cost of the negative impact of liquor consumption on families and society.

Manipur is a dry state. Even after the tag, there is no dearth of domestic violence in the state only because of liquor consumption.

"We won't allow it to happen. The government's move will encourage the consumers to come openly and there won't be any room for Meira Paibi to act," said a woman activist who participated in the protest.

She said," CM might come and reiterate the decision publicly. But we are dead opposed to it. W won't allow liquor sale and consumption in our localities. We are ready to face any consequences," she said.

Liquor has not been legalized yet only because of Meira Paibi associations across the state who have been opposing it for the last 50 years.

In Bishnupur district also, CADA committee and Thinungei Apunba Meira Paibi Nupi Lup jointly organised a sit-in protest at Thinungei Keithel on Tuesday promising to resist the move.

Local units of CADA also organised sit-in protests at Lamdeng Makha Leikai along with other parts of the state.

Also Read: 'Dry State' of Manipur Sees Highest Liquor Consumers

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