The Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989 was established and enforced in 1989 during the tenure of Dr. S.C. Jamir as the Chief Minister of Nagaland. With the Act having been in place for nearly three decades, the state government ought to clearly articulate and publicize the rules and regulations of the NLTP Act to its citizens and the emerging generations to promote greater awareness and sensitization.
Despite the Act’s implementation, the rampant sale of liquor in our state may be partly attributable to a general lack of public knowledge and understanding regarding the Act’s provisions.
Ironically, over three decades have passed since the Act’s inception, yet no legal action has been initiated against those who blatantly violate its integrity, which subsequently encourages further liquor sales and consumption in our state.
This failure in enforcement is a widely recognized fact. It is imperative that the State government urgently re-inform and re-highlight the NLTP Act’s rules to the general populace, as many citizens remain unaware or uninformed about its stipulations.
If strict legal measures were taken against individuals involved in the sale of liquor and they were penalized according to the Act, the sale and consumption of alcohol could be significantly curtailed.
The reality is that failure to hold violators accountable and impose penalties will only lead to a greater increase in social ills.
Liquor vendors bear a large responsibility for damaging the lives of the Naga people.
As a state with a 99% Christian majority, it would bring great honor to Nagaland if we were to live in strict adherence to our Christian principles and belief system.
Regrettably, we have become increasingly comfortable compromising our Christian principles and ethical standards. The crucial role of the church in Sunday worship services must be noted.
The issue of liquor sale and consumption is seldom addressed in these services. Church leaders must address this matter more frequently, as it is unfortunate that, in a Christian state, alcohol is predominantly consumed by our own people, including, regrettably, some church workers in both towns and villages who are habitual consumers. Furthermore, some Christians knowingly rent or lease out their properties to individuals, thereby enabling tenants to wilfully indulge in theillegal sale and consumption of liquor.
Despite the community’s awareness of this illegal trade, virtually no one in the neighbourhood dares to report the matter to law enforcement agencies.
Involvement in the liquor supply chain is not limited to non-locals; local people who profess Christianity are also indirectly involved in the supply and sale of liquor alongside non-locals.
Civil societies and organizations across the state—such as Colony Panchayats, Women Organizations, Student bodies, and the prominent Naga Student’s Federation (NSF)—have also been unable to effectively control the situation or take firm disciplinary action against offenders.
Consequently, this inaction has only fuelled the excessive and uncontrollable sale and consumption of liquor in all districts. The current scale of liquor sale and consumption poses a serious concern, especially for the student community.
Despite the urgent need to control this social menace, our leaders have largely remained silent on the matter. Therefore, it is essential for the government and all stakeholders to urgently regulate and control the sale and consumption of liquor before the situation worsens.
Recent discussions in Dimapur and Chumukedima District to lift the NLTP Act stem from the argument that prohibition has merely caused the rapid rise and growth of illegal liquor sales.
However, the appeal by various organizations and civil societies to lift the Act is a matter of serious concern for the people of Nagaland and its younger generations. These appeals appear to be driven by selfish motives and interests only.
There is no record of civil societies attempting to strengthen and enforce the NLTP Act through intensive dialogue with stakeholders.
Instead of calling for the Act’s removal, it would be more beneficial if all stakeholders convened for a constructive and intensive dialogue to address the persistent issue more effectively.
The argument that the consumption of adulterated liquor has resulted in fatalities is not universally valid, as some individuals choose to drink despite being fully cognizant of the health hazards and dangerous consequences. If the NLTP Act is partially or= fully repealed for such reasons, citizens will face enormous daily hardships and unfortunate incidents at the hands of those intoxicated.
This includes increased family strife, depletion of financial resources, community discord, and a rise in immoral conduct and behaviour among the youth. Kohima and Dimapur Towns have become symbolic representations of these escalating social and economic problems.
For instance, much like how the increase in vehicles has caused daily traffic congestion, lifting the NLTP Act would likely lead to a rise in reckless driving, as many intoxicated drivers would exploit the situation.
The most vulnerable sections of society—our elders and children—would be severely affected and could become victims of reckless driving. Countless innocent lives would be jeopardized, and tragic loss of life could result from drunk drivers.
Many children currently walk or commute by bus to school. If the Act is lifted, it will not only endanger the lives of schoolchildren but also become a major source of concern and worry for parents.
We already observe some taxi and bus drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. If the Act is lifted, a majority of drivers may drink and drive, posing a serious problem for the general public. In such an environment, general public unity and harmony will be impossible to maintain.
There is even a possibility that habitual drinking could spread within church bodies, preventing the church from being a unified entity.
We risk a future where our neighbours refer to us as a “Liquor Christian State” rather than a “Nagaland Christian State”. Before it’s too late, it is high time for all Stakeholders—the Mother’s Association, Students bodies, Town councils, Tribal Hoho’s, the NBCC, and Church Leaders and workers across the state—to unite and protect the NLTP Act of 1989.
We must not allow narrow, selfish interests to destroy the fabric of our society. It is unfortunate to see that some of our leaders are advocating for the Act’s removal instead of protecting it.
The consumption of liquor is solely a result of its sale. If liquor sellers are strictly penalized according to the law, then there will be no liquor consumers. Liquor sellers are largely responsible for destroying lives, and until they are strictly punished according to the law, social evils will continue to rise. “Do good and let the good triumph over evil”.
Vizotso Tase,
High School Colony Kohima.
Friday, December 12, 2025