Dry Mizoram turns drier

Aizawl, May 4 (UNI) Mizoram can now claim to be totally 'dry' with all its liquor outlets banished, with help from an NGO - Young Mizo Association (YMA)'s Supply Reduction Service (SRS).

Despite Mizoram's Liquor Total Prohibition Act since 1997, the state was not totally 'dry'. Though it was officially ''dry'', there were plenty of locally-brewed and Indian-made Foreign Liquors, only they were costly, until the YMA swung into action two years back.

Even Chief Minister Zoramthanga had acclaimed YMA's 'selfless' efforts in fighting this social menace.

Since YMA, the largest such organisation in the state, began their campaign against ''ruihhlo''(drugs and liquor) since 2005, the ''dry'' Mizoram has become drier.

The NGO had in two years helped the Excise Department in abolishing drugs and liquor from the state.

The Chief Minister had said, ''Concerted efforts of NGOs can achieve what the government has failed.'' However, there had been several alleged human rights violations in the YMA's crusade to ''cleanse'' the society.

Several branches of YMA had seized drugs and liquor worth more than 30 lakhs and had destroyed them. The number of drug related deaths had also drastically gone down during these two years.

However, despite all these efforts, two localities, Phuchawng and Rangvamual, on the outskirts of Aizawl, remained ''permanent wet-places'' until two months back, when the Supply Reduction Service(SRS) of the YMA began their campagne there as well.

Since, the local liquor factories in these two areas were mainly run by Myanmarese immigrants, the SRS had even served a 'quit notice', following which the Myanmarese families have fled.

Because of the relentless SRS operations, Phunchawng and Rangvamual localities have now almost dried up entirely.

''However, we may still find a few packs of 'local' (locally-brewed liquor) from Phunchawng and Rangvamual, but the quality is poorer and the price double, Rangvamual, a resident, told UNI.

He said most of the liquor in the post-SRS operation is made from what they call ''BE'', a chemical, smuggled from Myanmar, that can turn ordinary water into liquor.

Sources said, while making liquor with BE, the mixture should be kept for at least 24 hours, otherwise, the mixture may prove to be fatal.

''Even after waiting for 24 hours, it may still be hazardous, but we have no choice,'' he added.

Meanwhile, IMFL is also still available in some corners of the city. But any brand costs not less than Rs 600 per 750 ml bottle.

UNI