Shillong, Sep 30: The A·chik State Peoples Front (ASPF) has demanded an immediate ban on ‘Momin Biri’ for misusing a Garo tribal clan name and using a minor’s photo on its packet to sell tobacco.
In a complaint to the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Secretary, ASPF sought cancellation of the trading license issued to wholesaler Alom Hussain of Rajabala and seizure of all stocks supplied by manufacturer Amit Karmakar of Murshidabad, West Bengal.
The organisation said, ‘Momin’ is a notified Garo ST clan and its use by a non-tribal biri factory violates Sixth Schedule spirit and misleads Garo consumers.
It also flagged that two traders, Amit Karmakar and Ashikul Momin Khandakar of Assam, are fighting over the same brand with both trademark applications (5511063 and 5448780) marked ‘opposed’, yet the product is still being sold printing “Copyright” illegally.
The gravest charge is the child’s photo on the packet. ASPF said it violates JJ Act Section 77, which provides seven years jail for using a child to promote intoxicants, and COTPA Section 5 which bans indirect tobacco advertising to minors.
The organisation also alleged no 85 per cent pictorial warning, no MRP or manufacturing date, and dual RC/GST numbers on the packet.
ASPF said the same group earlier tried ‘Marak Biri’ with another Garo clan name but withdrew after public opposition. It has now sought blacklisting of the manufacturer in GHADC, a ban on any tobacco brand using Garo clan names like Momin, Marak, Sangma, and action by the District Child Protection Officer and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights over child exploitation.
