The Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Arogo Pastors’ Fellowship (DAABAPF) has expressed firm opposition to recent appeals by civil society organizations in Dimapur seeking relaxation or removal of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP Act) 1989. In a meeting held on December 7, the DAABAPF resolved that it “prayerfully yet firmly decided to stand against lifting of the NLTP Act either partially or totally.” The DAABAPF stated that it unanimously affirmed to ”strongly advocate for a proper and stricter implementation of the Act.” rather than any form of dilution.
In its statement, DAABAPF said the NLTP Act has never been fully enforced since it was passed in 1989. According to the DAABAPF, the State Government has “utterly failed to implement Chapter III of the Act” which requires the appointment of a Director of Prohibition, Prohibition Officers, a State Level Prohibition Council, and District Level Prohibition Committees.
It stated that the Act should not be termed “unimplementable or a failure,” describing the situation instead as “a failure on the part of the State machinery and a sign of incompetence to hold an office and to respect the mandates of the people for the cause of safeguarding people, family and the future of the society.”
The fellowship added that lifting the NLTP Act “partially or totally, would be an immature decision.”
DAABAPF further highlighted the historic significance of the legislation, noting that it originated from the collective efforts of Christians across the state. It recalled that one hundred twenty five “servants of the Lord” had participated in what the fellowship described as a “divinely ordained Fast unto Death Campaign” on June 23, 1989. The Act, it said, is “extraordinary and that it is “a symbol of victory over dark worldly system, which calls for a proper & stricter implementation.”
Appealing to the wider Christian community in Nagaland, the DAABAPF urged believers to “retrospect along these lines of reasoning and raise our voice against lifting of NLTP Act.”
“It requires our all-out strength and moral responsibility as a Christian to strongly advocate for a proper and sticter implementation of the Act,” the DAABAPF maintained.
The statement was signed by Rev. Jongpong Imsong, President of DAABAPF, and R Imti Imsong, Secretary.
