India, March 19 -- Prohibition of liquor in the northeastern state of Mizoram has been a divisive issue for long, creating hard rifts in state politics, churches, within families and within Christian institutions.

Mizoram has been a dry state for most of its history since it became a Union Territory after separating from Assam in 1972. The debate on prohibition resurfaced after the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) recently amended the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Act of 2019, allowing local fruit produce to be brewed into wine and beer.

The amendment will allow the processing of wine and beer from locally harvested fruits such as grapes, dragon fruit, guava, amla, and banana while maintaining the ban on importing beer, liquor, and win...