Alcoholic gins and spirits - (Photo: Courtesy).

The government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has imposed a ban on the sale and consumption of small-bottled hard liquors in the state capital, Aweil.

The forbidden drinks include Star Gin, Disco Gin, X5 Gin, Boss Gin, Zebra Gin, Royal Life Gin, and Royal Special Gin.

Others are Royal Gin, Master Gin, Fun See Gin, and Best Gin.

The decision by the state cabinet came into effect on Wednesday, and law enforcement agents have been directed to crack down on traders dealing in the substance.

“These banned items are the cause of too much traffic accidents in the State also they are the one behind suicidal death,” said Captain Guot Guot Akol, the police spokesperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

“It is behind the rape and harassment, and any other harmful forms of human being because they are misused by the youth especially the teenagers known as Niggas,” Akol said.

The state’s Council of Ministers is reported to have found that hard drinks are being abused mostly by teenagers and gang groups in the state.

The crack-down aims to mitigate traffic accidents, suicidal deaths, rape, harassment, and intimidation that are recurrent in the state.

The police official further added: “After they get the drug, they attacking themselves mercilessly, and at the end of the day, some people may lose their lives and others end up taking their lives through suicidal ways.”

Aweil Municipal Council has also imposed a fine of 500,000 SSP and a six-month imprisonment for violators.