IMPHAL, December 9: There is a strong apprehension that the sportsmanship of the state which have earned the title of powerhouse of the sports may decline if the State Government failed to take stringent measures to enforce the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991, said Advocate Y Ratankumar president of the Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA).
He was addressing the gathering on discussion programme on the theme ‘Nisana Khunaida piba cheitheng amasung masibu thingbada meeyamgi thoudang’ held today at Leima Keithel, Wangkhei Ayangpalli.
It may be mentioned that Manipur was declared dry state on April 1, 1991, by R.K. Ranbir Singh-led United Front government. However, promulgation of the Prohibition Act failed to check black marketing and bootlegging of India-made foreign liquor. As a result, several vendors in the heart of the city are doing brisk business.
The CADA president pointed out that there are 80% men and 5to10% women of the state that consumes alcohol and in addition drug abuse of the youth starting from class 6 standards have affected the state in the negative way.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, 2006 (FSSAI) was also implemented in the state in the year 2013 but unfortunately import of tobacco leaves in bulk are used by at least 55% of women in the state, continued Ratankumar.
He opined that there is an apprehension that Government’s proposal to brew local liquor in the state for export may have adverse effect on youth while observing that it could be a slow poison.
Not only the sportsman spirit but also the population of the state as whole may declined if the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 is not enforced strictly at the earliest, Ratankumar asserted.
Taking account of the adverse effect of liquor, the Bihar Chief Minister has imposed prohibition of liquor from April 2016, he said adding that the decline in health, increase in death, crime and domestic violence are the result of excessive use of alcohol and drugs.
The CADA president said that the programme jointly organised by CADA, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup (NLANL) and Apunba Nupi Lup Wangkhei Ayangpalli is to spread awareness to the general public about the ill effects of drugs and alcohol in the society.
He said that such programme will continue to conduct at different places in association with local clubs and Meira Paibi.
The discussion programme was also attended by Officer In-Charge Porompat PS Ak Shantikumar, President Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup Yumlembam Memma, President Diamond Club Yambem Mani and President Manipur Peace & Integrity Council (MAPI Council) Nongthombam Bimol as presidium members.