The Nagaland Baptist Pastors Union (NBPU) has reaffirmed its commitment to The Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, emphasizing that the Act was established through a united effort by Church and Civil Society organizations following extensive rallies and demands.
This collective action was driven by a covenant made by the people of Nagaland to declare the state as a ‘Dry State’, NBPU president Imnatoshi Longkumer and general secretary Wongtokiu stated in a press note.
Acknowledging that the Act has faced significant challenges in its enforcement, NBPU, however, stressed that this did not mean that public should blame any specific stake holder nor the church and the government should pelt stones at each other on the issue.
While it was a failure on the part of the law enforcing agencies of the government, they acknowledged that it was also the failure of the church and civil society on their share of responsibilities within their operational domains.
However, they emphasised that it should never be church versus government but government and church/civil society versus liquor. They warned that lifting the Act, even partially, would lead to severe social issues, including widespread alcohol-related problems in the streets, homes, social circles, gatherings, etc, as a daily occurrence.
Even if thousands of crore of rupees was generated in revenue from the sale of liquor in the state after lifting NLTP Act, they maintained that it would not be able to compensate the ill effects of liquor.
Calling on the church, civil society and government to work in coordination to uphold Nagaland as dry state, they pointed out that the actual onus of keeping the Act alive lay with the government.
While the church, NGOs and civil society could act as pressure groups, they said there was a series to unattended possible interventions, to which they should take a call.
Given the ground reality, they said it was time the state government enforced the Act. They stated that a coordinated effort of the government, church and civil society organisations (CSOs) would go a long way in keeping Nagaland safe from liquor.
They claimed the Act was sealed after a prolonged series of rallies and demands carried out by church and CSOs, noting that people of Nagaland from all walks of life made covenant with God in declaring Nagaland a dry state.
“Time is also ripe for the church to wake up once again and lift up the banner against liquor and its ill effects. The land and heavens have registered the covenant made by church workers to give their blood to defend Nagaland as dry state,” the union maintained.
NPCC opposes review of NLTP Act
DIMAPUR, SEP 1 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has expressed strong opposition to the state government’s decision to revisit the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, highlighting that the ongoing debate over the Act has deeply divided Naga society.
In a press note, NPCC communications department said that the NLTP Act, enacted in 1989 and enforced in 1990 under the then Congress government, was a reflection of the strong and unanimous public sentiment of the time.
NPCC has remained steadfast in upholding this decision and continues to support the prohibition, it said.
NPCC urged the state government to reconsider its intention to review the Act. They emphasized the importance of holding extensive consultations and consensus-building exercises with all stakeholders before making any decisions regarding the Act’s future.
NPCC also called on the people of Nagaland to approach the issue with an objective and conciliatory spirit, taking into account contemporary realities while engaging in the debate.