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GUWAHATI, India, Dec 12 (AFP) - Community leaders in India's Christian-dominated northeastern Mizoram state have formed vigilante groups to keep revelers away from alcohol and drugs in the run-up to Christmas.

"Christmas fever grips Mizoram at least a fortnight ahead of the actual day and considering the high spirits of the people we have issued a code of conduct for the celebrations," T. Sangkunga, leader of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), told AFP by telephone from the state capital Aizawl.

The YMA, an influential pressure group in Mizoram, has formed more than 800 patrol units involving about 20,000 tribal volunteers, including women, to prevent celebrations getting out of hand in towns and villages.

"During the festive season we often see an increase in the number of people getting drunk on liquor despite prohibition," Sangkunga said.

"By enforcing the festival code of conduct, we want to ensure that women and girls can enjoy themselves and roam around freely at night without facing any embarrassing situations."

The pre-Christmas diktats include a ban on bursting firecrackers and a call for people to present gifts to the needy, destitute, and orphans.

Anyone found violating the code of conduct will be forced to carry out community work, like cleaning the roads.

Christians accounts for about 15 per cent of the total 32 million population in India's seven northeastern states, three of which -- Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya -- have Christian majorities. 

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