Nagaland NCD, East Dimapur CSOs call for repeal of NLTP Act in Dimapur

Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) with East Dimapur civil society organizations (CSOs) at a consultative meeting called for repeal of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 in Dimapur.
The meeting held at NCD office on Wednesday was attended by representatives from East Dimapur Village Council Chairmen Forum (EDVCCF), East Dimapur GBs Association (EDGBA), East Dimapur Naga Youth Organization (EDNYO), Tribal Council Purana Bazaar (TCPB), Naharbari Community Citizens Forum (NCCF), and East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA), among others.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, NCD president, GK Rengma, informed that it was the first consultative meeting held with CSOs of East Dimapur on the NLTP issue.
Asserting that NCD alone could not take any step without support of CSOs and public, Rengma said today’s meeting was satisfactory and successful.
Rengma disclosed that the house unanimously decided to stand for repeal of NLTP Act in Dimapur.
Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) president Zasivikho Zakiesato, who is also the convener of the committee for lifting NLTP Act 1989 in Dimapur, informed that the meeting, which deliberated for over three hours, witnessed all participants agreeing on a common stand to lift the Act.
He said that a total of 14 organizations from Dimapur and East Dimapur have now come together in support of repealing the Act.
The organizations include Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, GB Union Sardar, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Dimapur District Citizens Forum, Dimapur District GBs Association, Business Association of Nagas, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, East Dimapur Village Council Chairmen Forum, East Dimapur GBs Association, East Dimapur Naga Youth Organization, Tribal Council Purana Bazaar, Naharbari Community Citizens Forum, and East Dimapur Business Association.
Zakiesato clarified that the door remained open for other organizations to join the cause. He said that a committee would soon be formed to decide on submitting representation and future course of action.
Responding to queries on possible impact on youth if the Act was lifted, Zakiesato said that alcohol was already freely available despite prohibition, adding that lifting the Act would not change the ground reality. He also blamed rise of drug abuse among youths due to the failure of prohibition.
“We are only doing what is best for Dimapur,” Zakiesato said, adding that both legislators and CSO leaders, as Christians, must also act on practical grounds.
Acknowledging that the Church had the moral right to oppose lifting the Act, he, however, said the issue must also be seen from a realistic perspective.
Meanwhile, EDVCCF convener, Aheto Yepthomi, appreciated NCD for taking the lead on the matter.
Affirming that drugs and alcohol were harmful to society, he said 36 years of prohibition had brought more harm than good, ethically, socially, and economically.
He lamented that the Act had only led to proliferation of adulterated alcohol, which had damaged many young lives. Yepthomi also claimed that every nook and corner of Dimapur has bootlegging activities.
Responding to queries on the benefit of lifting the Act, he maintained that society could be more decent if the Act was lifted and regulated properly. He, however, said that a proper guideline must be in place if prohibition was to be revoked.
EDNYO president, Kanato Awomi, also questioned whether the State government had implemented the NLTP Act in letter and spirit. He maintained that Nagaland was considered a dry state nominally, pointing that (adulterated) alcohol was available everywhere. He also supported the call to lift the Act and explore alternative measures.
DNSU vice president, R. Michael Yanthan, remarked that the movement was not based on emotions but on practical considerations. He observed that the State was losing around Rs. 600 crore annually due to the prohibition policy, adding that legalizing alcohol could generate revenue for developmental activities.
Meanwhile, secretary, committee for Repeal of NLTP Act, Dr. Kahuka Sema, clarified that the committee’s intention was not to go against the Church but to act according to the will of the people. “We cannot ignore the reality on the ground; we must stand for what is right,” he stated.
Speaking from a medical perspective, Dr. Sema pointed that lifting the Act would allow for quality control of liquor entering the State, as the absence of regulation under prohibition had led to the widespread use of adulterated alcohol. “If the Act is lifted, the quality of alcohol would improve, reducing health risks,” he said.