2 Mizos censured for opening liquor shops

Aizawl: The Presbyterian Church in central Mizoram’s Serchhip district, which is opposing the lifting of total ban on liqour sale in the state by the state government, has ex-communicated two of its members for opening retail liquor shops.
The assembly recently enacted the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control (MPLC) Act, 2014, replacing the stringent dry law called the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995, imposed in the state since February 20, 1997.The first wine shop was opened on March 16, 2015.
The church committee of Serchhip Kawnpui Presbyterian Church chaired by Rev. H Lallianzara, after holding a meeting on Saturday, decided to ex-communicate James Zothanpuia and F Lalmuankima. The church also relieved F Lalthlamuana and his wife, Lalmuanpuii, of their responsibilities in the church for allowing their building to be used for the wine shop owned by Lalmuankima, their son.
Lalthlamuana was a drum-bearer in the church service, teacher of Sunday School and member of some church sub-committees.
F Lalmuankima opened his wine shop on June 20 while the Serchhip Industrial Cooperative Society, in which James Zothanpuia is the chairman, opened the wine shop on June 22.
The church committee also decided not to accept any contribution from the 2 families involved in opening the wine shops. Meanwhile, the Young Mizo Association branch of the area has asked the shop owners to leave the area.