Newmai News Network
Aizawl | January 31
Sticking to its pre-poll promises, Mizoram Chief Minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president, Zoramthanga on Thursday reiterated that the state government was firm on imposing prohibition in the state.
This came days after the Gauhati High Court squashed the order of state government banning sales of liquor.
“Unprecedented things have occurred beyond our capacity over sales of liquor. The dirt left behind by the previous government is so disturbing that the entire state has been in dismay,” Zoramthanga said while addressing a function marking the celebration of the new ministry at Thentlang village in central Mizoram’s Serchhip district on Thursday.
He also said that a new legislation to the existing Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition & Control) Act, 2014 would be passed by the end of March.
“By March 31, a new legislation imposing prohibition would be already in place,” he added.
Zoramthanga then expressed he has to “apologise” to the people that “liquor has to be sold for the time being due to the Gauhati High Court order.”
He also said that the state government was helpless over ban on liquor as it has to respect the court order.
As a prelude to prohibition, the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga had on December 18 declared dry days from December 21 to January 14, which was again extended to March 10 in another council of minister meeting on January 10. However, the order of the state government banning sales of liquor was put aside by the Aizawl bench of Gauhati High court on Wednesday following petitions submitted by liquor vendors and owners of bonded warehouses.
The sitting judge, Justice Michael Zothankhuma, found the orders of the Commissioner of Excise and Narcotics department declaring the "dry days" for an extended period as "arbitrary" and ordered the state government to allow dealers to import liquor and the vendors to sell branded liquor as per the validity of their license. The license of vendors and warehouse dealers expires on March 31.
Following the high court order, more than 30 privately run wine shops have begun opening their shutters from Thursday after being remained closed for more than a month.
When our Aizawl Correspondent, Henry L Khojol, paid a visit, some liquor shops in the state capital were crowded with customers.
A customer, who refused to be mentioned, said he strongly welcomed the high court order and was against prohibition because many drinkers will be forced to consume spurious liquor like it was during total prohibition period.
