Against the backdrop of demand made by Dimapur-based civil society organisations to lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989, the Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) has urged the state government to strengthen the Act and make maximum use of all the available resources to ensure that the Act was implemented in letter and spirit.
In a press release, PBCC president Disie Katiry and executive secretary Rev. Rümatho Nyusou stated that the council at its executive meeting held at the Mission Center, Yisisotha on September 19 and 20, 2023, deliberated on the issue and adopted a resolution.
PBCC reminded that NLTP Act was passed in 1989 by the state government in response to the voice of the people spearheaded by the Church and Mother’s Association. However, it expressed regret that the Act was never sincerely implemented all through these years. “What is disturbing is that the onus for this failure is fixed on the church,” PBCC said.
PBCC said the church was not a law enforcing agency, adding that the government has got all the necessary competency to monitor and implement the Act. In the event that the Act was lifted, PBCC cautioned that the scale of damage it would cause to the individual, family and society in towns and villages would be terrible.
PBCC maintained that the devastating effect of lifting the Act outweighs far beyond the monetary benefit.
Describing the floor of the assembly as “Holy Ground”, the PBCC prayed that the legislators, who represent the people of their respective constituencies, would understand the sanctity of their seats and accordingly serve the interest of the people.