The state government’s proposal to revisit the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 has sparked widespread criticism from church and civil society organizations.
Konyak CSOs: Konyak civil society organizations (CSOs) rejected and voiced strong opposition to the government’s recent proposal to partially lift the Act. In a joint statement, the presidents of the Konyak Union, Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), and Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK)—Tingthok Konyak, Temwang, and Ponglem Konyak, respectively— reminded the public and state authorities that it was the Konyak CSOs that initially championed the call for total prohibition of alcohol, a movement that ultimately led to the enactment of the NLTP Act in 1989, making Nagaland a dry state.
The leaders recalled the devastating effects of unrestricted alcohol availability before the NLTP Act, including family breakdowns, endangering public health, inciting street brawls and economic depletion.
They emphasized that the Konyak CSOs led a courageous fight to combat rampant alcoholism that was taking a toll on the society.
They said the grassroots movement garnered support from other Naga tribal organizations and led to the state-wide enforcement of the NLTP Act.
Rejecting any proposal for even a partial lifting of the Act within the Konyak jurisdiction, the CSOs asserted that their society was not prepared to face the potential negative consequences of reintroducing alcohol.
“Our society cannot afford to be used as an experimental ground for policies that may reintroduce the very challenges we fought so hard to overcome,” they stated.
The CSOs stressed the need for time and careful consideration before implementing significant changes that could have profound and lasting impacts.
They clarified that while they were not opposed to progress or development, such changes should only be made when the people and environment are genuinely ready.
“Until that time comes, we stand firm in our commitment to protecting our society from the dangers of alcohol. The Konyak jurisdiction should remain under the full effect of the NLTP Act, 1989, and we urge the Nagaland Government to respect our stance and the will of our people,” the CSOs stated.
KBPF: Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF) has expresses deep concern and strong opposition to the recent decision of the cabinet to revisit the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP), 1989 and partially lift the Act.
KBPF president Rev Vezopa Rhakho, vice-president Mhonchumo S Lotha, general secretary Dr Ruokuovilie Sachu, assistant general secretary Rev Thsadongse Sangtam, treasurer Khekavi Yeptho, publicity and info secretary Sankara Narayan, and advisers Rev Phomlee Van, Rev Sentisashi Aier and Rev Dr Kevichalie Metha in a press release said that the Act had long served as a safeguard against the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.
They recalled that the legislation was passed in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) as a result of fervent prayers of believers, as well as much pain and struggles by way of staging mass protests, public rallies, and even fast unto death spearheaded by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and other civil society organisations (CSOs). Terming the decision to lift the ban an outright violation of God’s precepts, they pointed out that it was not only unwise, but irresponsible and a dangerous step backward.
As pastors, they claimed to be encountering and dealing with people with a variety of problems, but most of them were alcohol related.
They said alcohol abuse not only led to health complications, but also moral and spiritual degradation, family breakdown, domestic violence, and other social problems.
Contending that some had argued that lifting the prohibition would boost the state’s economy through increased sales and tax revenues, they however asserted that this short-term gain would be offset by very costly long-term social, physical, psychological, spiritual and economic deterioration of families.
“Can the state afford to pay this price by playing with the lives of its citizens? It is unthinkable for any responsible leader to sacrifice the precious lives of its people over monetary profit. We cannot allow the interests of a few to outweigh the welfare and safety of our families and our people,” they declared.
Asserting that the NLTP Act in itself had not failed, they said everyone had collectively failed. Hence, they stressed that it was not the time to be talking about lifting or relaxing, but to strengthen implementation of the Act.
They urged the government to strictly implement the Act through proper consultation over the rhetoric of revenue, because if even after three decades the Act could be implemented, warning that relaxing would be disastrous.
They called upon every believer irrespective of denomination, and all responsible citizens to prayerfully take the stand likewise.
“In the context of Nagaland, the voice of the Church is majority. So it is our prayer and earnest hope that the government would listen to the voice of the people,” KBPF stated.