Kohima, February 23 (MExN): The Sovima Village Council has resolved to strictly implement the provisions of the COTPA 2003, and those shops violating these provisions shall be penalised and their trade licenses cancelled forthwith.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003 (СОТРА) prohibits sale of Cigarettes and other tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age and also in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.
It has been reported that there are shops selling cigarettes and other tobacco products such as Gutka, Talab, Shikar, Rajnigandha etc in close proximity of educational institutions in the village.
The Sovima Village Council stated it shall also strictly implement its earlier resolution to expel from the village any person found selling intoxicants/psychotropic substances within the jurisdiction of the village and the property from where the sale of these banned substances had been found, shall be seized by the Council.
Youth volunteers accompanied by GBs/VCMs shall conduct regular checking to implement these resolutions and necessary actions shall be taken on the spot against defaulters, according to Ruokuosilie Rupreo, Secretary, Sovima Village Council.
