Mizo ex-soldiers up in arms over liquor permit

AIZAWL, June 24? Former soldiers in Mizoram were up in arms over the state excise department?s refusal to accept their contention that they should be allowed to get liquor quota from military canteens even after imposition of prohibition in the State. Leaders of the Mizoram Ex-servicemen League said that the former Indian soldiers were covered by the Army Act and should be allowed their monthly quota of liquor even as the state excise department officials said that the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Act exempted only the army and para-military forces. State Excise Minister K Vanlalauva said 33 ex-servicemen were among those 94 people who were issued special liquor permits on health ground. Asked why applications of 296 ex-servicemen for special liquor permits were delayed, Vanlalauva said the applications were being cross-checked by Medical Superintendent of Aizawl Civil Hospital, Dr Baruah as ??all the 196 applicants were diagnosed as having the same illness?.