CAN disagrees with Churches’ stand on NLTP Act

The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has expressed serious concern over the rising liquor-related violence in various parts of the state, but has strongly disagreed with the churches’ position on the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
CAN president Jonas Yanthan and secretary general Victor Kevilhouthie Yhome stated that the issue of NLTP was a legal and policy matter that fell under the domain of the State government, not the churches.
Asserting that the idea of a dry state may appear good, CAN, however, said NLTP Act has failed to make Nagaland more spiritual. Instead, CAN said it has only driven liquor underground, giving rise to more anti-social elements and creating greater problems for society. Describing the NLTP Act as neither rational nor sustainable, the association pointed out that liquor consumption was a worldwide human habit that cannot be effectively eradicated through prohibition.
CAN appealed to the churches to view the issue through biblical authority rather than emotional positions. The association noted that the Bible neither banned nor promoted liquor consumption outright, as Scripture rises above narrow approaches to life.
CAN said the Bible condemns “gluttony” — excessive indulgence in food, drink, or even the pursuit of praise, wealth, and power — rather than the act of consumption itself. It maintained that preaching vigorously against such vices as gluttony, greed, and moral decay was the true domain and sanctity of the churches.