(PK Singh, Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur addressing a press conference)
Newmai News Network
Aizawl | January 17
Mizoram Liquor Vendors’ Association (MLVA), an umbrella body of all retailed liquor vendors in the state and three bonded warehouse dealers on Thursday moved to Gauhati High Court for losses caused by the extension of dry day by the state government.
Hell bent towards total prohibition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), days after taking over the government, barred alcohol selling by announcing ‘dry day’ from December 21, 2018 to January 14. The Mizoram government, later, extended its ban on sale of liquor till March 10.
Francis Sailo, a liquor vendor in Aizawl, said that lawsuit was filed in the Aizawl bench of Gauhati High Court on Thursday for the losses they suffered due to extension of ‘dry day’ by the Mizoram government. He added that a separate lawsuit was filed each by the Mizoram Liquor Vendors Assocation. He further said that the high court has fixed hearing on coming Tuesday.
Sailo then said that the high court will decide on whether or not to stay ‘dry day’ during hearing on Tuesday.
On January 10, the Mizo National Front (MNF) led Mizoram government had extended "dry day" period till March 10.
Earlier, the state government had declared "dry day" period from December 21, 2018 to January 14, 2018 as a part of measure to impose prohibition in the state and to have a "peaceful" celebration of Christmas and New Year.
The MNF had made a poll promise of re-imposing total prohibition in the state if it comes to power.
As a step towards fulfilling its pre-poll promises the MNF led state government had also banned sale of alcohol by government agencies since December 18 last year.
Earlier, Chief Minister, Zoramthanga had said that imposing total prohibition was instantly not possible as "legislation has to be passed in the state assembly to ban privately run liquor shops". He had also said that the government would soon pass a legislation to ban liquor and lift The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition & Control) Act, 2014.
