Public rally in support of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act

Residents of Purana Bazar’s six colonies under the banner Joint Council Purana Bazar East Dimapur (JCPBED) took out a massive public rally in support of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 and against all illegal activities within Purana Bazar jurisdiction here Saturday.
The rallyists numbering around 1000 people, mostly students in uniform, Church leaders, GBs of all six councils and others, marched from Darogajan Bridge to Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Purana Bazar with placards some of which read “Stop drinking, start living”, “Don’t drown your future with alcohol”, “It’s never too late to quit drinking alcohol”, Love your family, not alcohol” etc.
JCPBED, which submitted representation to the district administration, excise department and commissioner of police, has appealed for effective implementation of the NLTP Act and also take action against the offenders under appropriate sections of the law.
Speaking to the media persons after the rally, co-ordination team convenor, Vikugha Kappo, who is also the chairman of model colony council, stated that the rally was taken out following the decision taken of the joint council consultative meeting on September 3, 2022.
He said that consultative meeting unanimously decided to raise voice against existing illegal activities and alcohol related social menace within Purana Bazar jurisdiction.
Stating that the drive against selling of alcohol was not a new initiative, Kappo said that such initiatives had been carried by each colony council and GBs under their respective jurisdictions. He said that all six colonies under Purana Bazar decided to initiate the move together so as to have better effect. Kappo, however, maintained that the rally was not a move against the state government, but a reminder to carry out and implement the Act in its truest form.
Claiming that the state government was the appropriate agency to monitor and keep check on illegal sell of liquor in the state as per NLTP Act, Kappo, however, lamented that the enforcement agencies were not keeping tabs on the liquor business in the state.
“In Nagaland, it is a fact and everyone knows that shops, which sell mineral water and chips, are selling alcohol as well,” he stated.
The convenor has, therefore, appealed to all the responsible agencies to deploy their personnel and implement the NLTP Act immediately. He assured that the colony councils would extend full support and assistance to the law enforcing agencies in implementing the Act.
Asserting that most liquor business under Purana Bazar was being carried out by non-locals, Kappo warned that the council would also take action against the owners of houses that were running liquor business.
Further, the convenor informed that the council would also checking any illegal activities under its jurisdiction and take punitive actions against the perpetrators.
Asked whether the council had taken actions against those selling liquor within its jurisdiction, he pointed out as per the NLTP Act, power and function to check selling of liquor was the responsibility of the state government and not to councils.
He, however, said that the council, having been chosen by the residents of the colony, would further initiate action against those perpetrators. Kappo also said that the councils had on many occasions issued legal notices and warned house owners to stop selling liquors.
On asking about their next course of action, the team convenor expressed hope that the public rally and submission of representation to district administration, excise department and commissioner of police would be enough for the enforcement agencies to take necessary action.
The convenor, however, warned that the council would have no option but to take its own course of actions if the state government failed to act.