The residents of Kale Myo and a member of Holiness Church, Mr. Hrangtinkham, husband of Mrs Thawng Thluai came up with such an innovative prize in Tlang Khua, Tikhuangtum, Thing hual, Tah tlang and Tihbual villagers.

The prizes were received by at least four to six persons from five villages and distributed in the church in Tlang khua village. The leaders of the Holiness church also helped in distributing the prizes.

Mr. Hrangtinkham said that Christians should abstain from taking drugs as it is forbidden in the Bible and also from the point of view of personal health.

The main reason for giving the prizes was to cut down on the use of drugs among villagers and members of the Christian community as it contradicts Christian belief and can weaken a person spiritually.

Of 400 to 800 villagers there are only four to six persons who are free of drugs. The prize was given to those who do not use drugs since their childhood.

In the ceremony, Mr. Hrangtinkham promised to give Kyat 1,000 each to those who stop using drugs – alcohol, and stop smoking, in Tikur, Khaini and Sahdah in 2008.

Moreover, the couple burnt all the drugs being sold in Tlang khua market along with cigarettes, khaini and betel. But before that they gave the value for the items.

Mr. Hrangtinkham and his wife were presented in the assembly of Holiness church in Tlang khua village last March. This is the first time such prizes are being given to those who do not use drugs in Chin state. – KNG.