Zoramthanga Sworn in as New Mizoram Chief Minister. His First Priority is Banning Liquor

Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga was Saturday sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister, heading a 12-member ministry. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rajasekharan during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan here.

Zoramthanga took oath in Mizo language. This will be his third stint as chief minister of the north eastern state, having led the MNF government in Mizoram in 1998 and 2003.

Tawnluia will be the deputy chief minister.

Speaking to News18 over the telephone, Zoramthanga thanked the people of Mizoram for electing him as their representative and said his primary target will be the development of the state.

He said among his first priorities will be complete prohibition on liquor across the state.

Other things on his agenda include implementation of Social Economic Development Programme (SEDP), providing world class education, health care to the people, proper implementation of civic issues and roads repair, he told News18.

Banning liquor was one of the main poll promises made by the MNF in the Christian-majority state. “We are committed to prohibit liquor across the state. There is no question of going back,” he added.

The Congress government in February 1997 had imposed a complete prohibition on liquor in the state, but the ban was partially lifted in 2014 and wine shops opened from March 2015. “In 2007, the act was amended to allow wine to be made from guavas and grapes, but with cap on the alcohol content/volume.”

The state’s influential groups – the church bodies and other pressure groups – have also been opposed to the sale of liquor in the state.

Reverend R Lalbiakmawia, general secretary of Mizoram People’s Forum, a church-sponsored election watchdog supported MNF’s decision to continue with the prohibition of liquor in the state.

“All churches in Mizoram want sale of liquor should be banned. Lot of people died in last few years due to liquor consumption. Liquor is coming as a big hurdle before the development of the state. Therefore we support MNF’s decision to continue with the liquor prohibition,” he added.