Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has called for a comprehensive review of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act to develop a more effective and sustainable approach to mitigating the harm caused by alcohol abuse.
In the event of government’s inaction on the matter, DNSU president Hinoto P Aomi and general secretary Michael Kath warned in a press release that they would be forced to assume a more proactive role in combating the rampant sale and consumption of alcohol in Dimapur. DNSU said they would undertake strategic initiatives to dismantle illicit alcohol dens and enforce regulatory compliance, thereby filling the enforcement vacuum and protecting the welfare of the citizens.
Enacted in 1989, they acknowledged that the NLTP Act aimed to eradicate alcohol-related issues in the state. However, they noted that after three decades of implementation, it was evident that the Act had fallen short of its intended objectives. Despite its noble intentions, they observed that the prohibition had inadvertently fuelled a thriving black market, perpetuating illegal activities and drug abuse. They said alcohol dens could be found in every nook and corner, extending even to the vicinity of educational and religious institutions, adding that it was an open secret that alcohols were being sold openly in high-end restaurants and lounges.
Moreover, they said that the state incurred significant revenue losses annually, while enforcement efforts remained ineffective and disorganised. The union said it was clear that the Act, although well-intentioned, had caused more harm than good.
Hence, rather than persisting with a failed approach, DNSU stressed that it was imperative to reevaluate and explore alternative solutions. After 30 years, it was evident that prohibition alone was not the solution, they admitted.
DNSU urged the state government, as representative of the people, to take decisive action in the upcoming Assembly session to address this pressing issue. The union maintained that it was time to consider new strategies to address alcohol-related issues, rather than clinging to an outdated and ineffective law.