Srinagar: The women’s wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), one of the region’s largest religious organizations with a strong grassroots presence, has criticized the Union Territory’s move to allow the sale of liquor, arguing it could lead to social problems and warning of protests if it is not reconsidered.The women’s wing of the LBA called for strengthening efforts against drug trafficking by targeting supply chains rather than expanding legal alcohol access. The sale of liquor was allowed under a new excise policy approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena on May 31 to curb “the increasing dependence on narcotics and drugs in the Ladakh region and to give people a wider choice of liquor with lower alcohol content”.Till now only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were allowed to be retailed through shops, except in Leh where there was no partial restriction. Under the new policy, 20 liquor shops will be opened, which are now only two in Leh.The LBA women’s wing pointed out that there are limited entry and exit points into Ladakh – mainly Leh airport, Manali-Leh highway and Srinagar-Leh highway. “Increased surveillance can curb the inflow of narcotics and illicit substances into the area to a great extent,” the wing said in a statement.The LBA wing argued that the argument that increased availability of alcohol could serve as a substitute for drugs is illogical and that one social problem cannot be solved by introducing another.The LBA wing said the increased availability of alcohol would have serious long-term social and economic consequences on Ladakh, especially its youth. It warns of increase in domestic violence, increase in road accidents, greater pressure on law enforcement agencies, adverse effects on the psychological well-being of children, increase in crime rates and increase in rehabilitation and health care costs for the government if the sale of liquor is allowed.According to the LBA wing, women have been at the forefront of preserving the social fabric of Ladakh by preventing the dowry system from taking root in the region, campaigning against plastic bags and creating awareness against drugs and alcohol. The LBA wing said that if liquor concerns were ignored, women would launch peaceful protests, including rallies and voluntary market closures, to thwart a policy detrimental to the social and cultural well-being of the region.A government statement on the new policy said its approval followed meetings with civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations, medical experts, public representatives and officials in recent months. Under the policy, liquor consumption has also been allowed within hotels, while guest houses and homestays can get licenses to sell liquor for the first time.