People in liquor trade to not take active part in church activities: Synod conference

AIZAWL: Conference of the Synod, the highest decision-making authority of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, has decided that people selling liquor and holding permit for purchase and consumption of alcohol should not be allowed to take active part in church activities.

The agenda was taken up by seven presbyteries and the delegates of the Synod conference agreed to the agenda in the deliberations chaired by the moderator of the Mizoram Synod Rev H Lalrinmawia.

The Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act, 2014, in force in the state since January 15 last allows people having permits issued by the state Excise and Narcotics department to buy and drink liquor.

The act replaced the stringent Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 in force in the state since February 20, 1997.

The Synod conference also decided that bell of the local church would be rung if a member of the Presbyterian Church commits suicide.

Earlier, the people who committed suicide were not accorded funerals by church leaders.