Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): State deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton said Thursday disclosed that Union home minister Amit Shah assured a Nagaland delegation led by chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio that he would take up the state’s demand to scrap the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime with the Union cabinet and prime minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to the media at his residence here, Patton said the delegation, comprising Rio, members of the state Cabinet and others, met Shah during their recent visit to New Delhi.
According to Patton, Shah told the delegation that he could not take a decision on the matter alone and would discuss Nagaland’s request with his Cabinet colleagues and the prime minister for consideration.
Asked about a monitoring mechanism to safeguard the state’s borders and facilitate tourism if the PAP regime were lifted, Patton said the state Cabinet would finalise the mechanism after the regime was lifted.
On the Tuensang liquor deaths, Patton described the incident as “very unfortunate” and said those allegedly involved in selling the liquor would be immediately apprehended. He further said stern action would be taken against those involved.
Patton also cautioned the public, particularly the youth, against consuming illicit spirituous drinks, claiming that “90-80%” of such liquor in the state comprised adulterated spirits.
Asked whether the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act should be reviewed in light of the incident, Patton declined to comment specifically but said he personally favoured partial, if not complete, lifting of prohibition.
He said the matter could be discussed with leaders of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), while acknowledging that church organisations were likely to oppose any move to lift prohibition. Patton said the state Cabinet and government would ultimately have to take a firm decision on the issue.