In the light of the state government’s lack of response to Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation’s (DUCCF) appeal for repeal of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, a joint meeting was convened by Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) with eight Dimapur-based civil society organisations to address the matter.
The meeting, held at NCD conference hall here on Monday, was attended by members of the NCD, DUCCF, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Dimapur GBs’ Union (Sadar), Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Association of Nagaland, Dimapur District GBs’ Association, and Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union.
Addressing the media after the meeting, NCD president Etsungmomo Kikon announced that all nine CSOs had unanimously endorsed DUCCF to spearhead consultations with Dimapur-based CSOs regarding the repeal of the NLTP Act in Dimapur. He said presidents of the remaining eight CSOs would be integral members of the committee entrusted with the task.
Meanwhile, DUCCF president Zasivikho Zakiesato conveyed the federation’s commitment to the assigned responsibility and emphasised conducting comprehensive consultative sessions with all Dimapur-based CSOs, ensuring that no stakeholder would be overlooked in the process.
He claimed that the initiative aligned with the chief minister’s statement to engage in extensive consultations with the public regarding NLTP Act’s potential removal. However, he refrained from divulging further details at this stage.
Regarding responses from governmental authorities, Zakiesato noted that while the governor had acknowledged their submission and forwarded it to the chief secretary, he said there was no response from the chief minister’s office yet. He however acknowledged that they were yet to meet the chief minister.
Asked whether the removal of NLTP Act would include Niuland and Chümoukedima, erstwhile Dimapur, he clarified on the scope of the representation, adding that the request for the Act’s removal pertained solely to Dimapur on a trial basis.
He mentioned that copies of the representation were also sent to Chakhroma Public Organisation and Western Sumi Hoho.
Questioned about the stance of church organisations and women’s groups, the NCD president replied that church leaders had expressed solidarity with the demand of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, while women hohos, as integral members of NCD, stood in support of the initiative for NLTP Act’s repeal.