After Bihar, Mizoram to become dry state from April 1
What's the story
Mizoram, the hill state, is again going to be a dry state from April 1, 2019.
The Mizoram Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Bill 2019, which banned consumption, manufacture and sale of liquor to the public.
The ruling party, Mizoram National Front (MNF), had promised the ban before 2018 Assembly elections.
The first liquor ban was imposed way back in 1997.
Punishment
5 years of prison for sale, buying or possession
Under the new law, buying, selling or possession of alcohol would invite upto five years of prison depending on the quantity of the liquor involved.
And also, consumption and creating nuisance after drinking could land a person behind bars for 6 to 24 months or be assigned working days at community service.
A repeat offense can lead to twice the punishment awarded last time.
Lifted ban
Congress lifted 18-year ban in 2015, state's liquor business thrived
The Congress-led government had lifted the 18 year old ban, from 1997 to 2015, under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act, 2014.
Congress argued that lifting the ban would help in generating revenues and decrease the number of deaths due to fake alcohol.
The liquor shops in the Christian-majority state flourished after that.
However, MNF, in 2018, advocated and promised complete ban.
Details
Lifting ban impacted Mizo society, led to many deaths: Beichhua
During the campaigning for 2018 Assembly elections, MNF promised total ban on liquor, which was supported by the Church bodies but opposed by the Congress.
K Beichhua, State Excise and Narcotics Minister, said, "Lifting the ban on liquor in Mizoram has had severe impacts on Mizo society. Led to untimely death of people in road accidents and increase in alcohol intake among the youth."
Statement
Can't think of economy in such scenario, says CM
Meanwhile, Mizoram's Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, claimed that since the ban was lifted, more than 5,000 people died because of liquor consumption.
He said, "It is a killing machine, a widow making machine. Too many people have died since prohibition was lifted."
Although the state could face a loss of Rs. 70 crore annually, CM added, "We cannot think of economy in such a scenario."
Support
ZPM legislator brings Bihar's reference, supports ban for crime reduction
Vanlalthlana, a legislator from the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) supported the Bill, while referring to Bihar (in 2016, Nitish Kumar-led government imposed a complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor in Bihar) and said, "While crime against women was reduced to 13% after the liquor ban in Bihar, incidents of rape declined too."
Nine government-owned liquor shops have shut in Mizoram till now.