CM flags off 12 GPS fitted patrol vehicles ‘Guidelines for legalising liquor nearing completion’

Imphal, Oct 4 (DIPR)
Chief Minister N Biren Singh flagged off 12 GPS enabled highway patrol vehicles from the western gate of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The patrol vehicles flagged off today, under phase-III, included 3 for Tamenglong district, 3 for Noney district, 2 for Kangpokpi district, 2 for Senapati district and 2 for Tengnoupal district.
Speaking to reporters the Chief Minister said that the draft guidelines for legalising liquor is nearing completion and continued that the Government will take suggestions from CSOs and meira paibis (womenfolk) before implementing liquor policy in the State.
The Chief Minister said this by the side of flagging off 12 GPS fitted vehicles today
To a query, the Chief Minister stated that lifting prohibition doesn't necessarily mean that  liquor would be widely available in the State after legalising.
The prohibition was lifted so as to prevent selling and consumption of liquor illegitimately.
N Biren also said that the draft guidelines for  legalising liquor would be made available to those who have been opposing the move of the State. Their opinions would be considered too, he added.
Further stating that the Government is considering making the legal age for buying liquor at 23  or 25, N Biren said that no liquor shops would be allowed to open near hospitals, educational institutions and some other public places.
The Chief Minister continued that there would be a provision in the guidelines to check drunken drivers.
There won't be a single public provision in the guidelines which will harm the interest of the State on legalising liquor, N Biren said and added that the Government is only attempting to regulate the sale and consumption of liquor in the State so that public health is not compromised.
Earlier, 5 such vehicles for Senapati District and 3 vehicles for Kangpokpi District were flagged off on May 13, 2022 in phase-I. Another 5 vehicles for Tengnoupal district and 2 vehicles for Tamenglong district were also flagged off on  June 8 and  June 19, 2022 respectively in phase-II.  
Speaking at the occasion, N Biren stated that the GPS enabled highway patrol vehicles are launched to enable quick response from police to any incident that takes place along the National Highways in the State. The location of the patrol vehicles could be tracked from the Police Headquarters.
Stating that the vehicles flagged off today can accommodate a minimum of 10 police personnel, he said that the patrol teams would help to stop intimidations and extortion of truck and bus drivers by unknown miscreants along the National Highways.
The Chief Minister further maintained that law and order in the State has significantly improved with the tireless day and night service from the police side and also with the support and cooperation of the public. As such, there is now no need for security convoys for transportation of oil tankers in the State, he said.
Continuing that the aim of the Government is to ensure its people’s welfare and safety, he stated that the Government had started the work of police modernization to boost the morale of police and make them people friendly.
Necessary equipment had been provided for the modernization. Meeyam gi Numit is also organized in every district including the district police to bring better relations between police and public, he added.
Biren further informed that construction of 34 police stations along the Indo-Myanmar Border from Behiang to Jessami had started and added that with all such initiatives, the State would be able to check and stop illegal immigration and drugs trafficking along the border areas.
Terming the police as protectors of life and property of people, he asked police personnel to be always ready to help the public in time and also to ensure no damage is caused to the public.
Further, he appealed to the patrol vehicle teams to use the vehicles with proper maintenance, thinking it as their own property, as Government’s property is public property.
Director General of Police (in charge) Christopher Doungel, delivering his welcome speech, appreciated the Chief Minister for his unwavering support to the works taken up by the Police Department and for his initiatives for the welfare of the people of the State.
He stated that the GPS enabled highway patrol vehicles would not only check crimes and extortion, but act as confidence building measures and maintain a better relation between the police and public.
Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Letpao Haokip, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Transport Minister Khasim Vashum, MP, Rajya Sabha Leishemba Sananjaoba, Chairman, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd Kongkham Robindro, Chairman, Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Additional Director General of Police Clay Khongsai, senior police officers and Superintendents of Police also attended the flagging off programme, among others.