In the author’s opinion this is going much too far. The people have few pleasures, and after strenous work, most likely in torrents of rain, and stimulant is rather a good thing. It would therefore be better to encourage temperance than to insist on prohibition.

Source: The Lakhers (Page 21 para 2) by NE Perry, Indian Civil Service (equivalent to IAS).

Note: Lakher = Mara, Lushei = Mizo (more or less) as per the usage in the book.