Violation of Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act: Offenders made to undergo community service

Pictures available with Northeast Live show that the offenders were engaged in cleaning restrooms, cleanliness drives in the premises of the Aizawl Civil Hospital.

How serious punishment would anyone face, if an individual violates the Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019 in Mizoram? Going by the law such an offence at the very first attracts imprisonment for a year and may extend upto fives years with fine.

But the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department has rather chosen the novel way to control such violations of law and teach a lesson to the offenders.

Acting tough, the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department has intensified its crackdown against illegal selling and consumption of alcohol in and around Aizawl city.

As a part of the crackdown, the individuals found guilty under sections of The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019, were being made to undergo community service as part of punishment.
Pictures available with Northeast Live show that the offenders were engaged in cleaning restrooms, cleanliness drives in the premises of the Aizawl Civil Hospital.

Section 6 (2) of the MLP Act pertains to consuming alcohol unlawfully, and Section (3) of the MLP Act refers to drinking in public places or causing disturbance while under the influence of alcohol.

Moreover, the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics department has issued a warning to the public urging them to stay away from defiant behaviours and to stop ‘Spotting’.

Notably, the term ‘Spotting’ is a famous slang in Mizoram which describes the quick act of drinking alcohol on the roadside, where drinkers are on the lookout for law enforcement officials patrolling the area.

The Mizoram Excise and Narcotics department said, “Individuals found guilty under section 6(2) of the MLP Act 2019, which pertains to consuming alcohol unlawfully, and under section 6(3) of the same act, which refers to drinking inpublic places or causing disturbance while under the influence of alcohol, were given a sentence to carry out communityservice for a number of days. If you want to avoid ending up as a public janitor wearing a blue waist coat, stay away from these defiant behaviors.You better stop ‘Spotting’.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fSvZiyMEw/?img_index=1

Earlier this month, Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, launched a massive campaign to check illegal selling of alcohol at the notorious ‘A senchi lane/liquor lane’ at Aizawl’s Vaivakawn Zohnuai area.

The operation to clean up the area was taken up by the Excise and Narcotics Department in collaboration with the Vaivakawn community. The department stated that the operation will be ongoing indefinitely.

What does Section 6 of the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act 2019 say?

Punishment for contravention of Section 5.
(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 5 of this Act shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees;
(2) Whoever in contravention of sub-section (2) of Section 5 of this Act, consumes liquor shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Provided that the trying magistrate may, after convicting the accused and in lieu of imprisonment and fine, pass order by which the convict is released and is compelled to do community service or work for not more than five working days or 30 hours under the supervision of the Excise & Narcotics or Police personnel as per the terms and conditions as may be passed by the trial court in the order.
(3) Whoever, in any street or thoroughfare or public place behaves in a disorderly manner under the influence of liquor, makes or causes nuisance, or drives a vehicle after consuming liquor shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
Provided that the trying magistrate may, after convicting the accused and in lieu of imprisonment and fine, pass order by which the convict is released and is compelled to do community service or work for not less than two working days or twelve hours under the supervision of the Excise & Narcotics or Police personnel as per the terms and conditions as may be passed by the trial court in the order.
(4)In prosecution for an offence under sub-section (3) of this Section, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the person accused of the said offence consumed liquor for the purpose of being intoxicated and not for medicinal purpose.
(5) Any registered medical practitioner shall be competent to examine and prove that a person has consumed liquor or is in a state of intoxication.
(6) Alcohol Breathalyzer may also be used for proof of liquor consumption. The result of such alcohol breathalyzer test shall be valid and admissible evidence in the court of law.

Watch also: Violation of Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act: Offenders made to undergo community service

COMMENTS