The demand for lifting the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, gained further momentum on Wednesday after a consultative meeting between the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and several civil society organizations (CSOs) from East Dimapur formally endorsed the call to revoke the law.
The meeting, held at the NCD Conference Hall, brought together representatives from 14 organizations, including the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Dimapur District GBs Association, Business Association of Nagas, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, East Dimapur Village Council Chairmen Forum (EDVCCF), East Dimapur GBs Association, East Dimapur Naga Youth Organisation, Tribal Council Purana Bazaar, Naharbari Community Citizens Forum, and East Dimapur Business Association.
NCD President GK Rengma said it was the first joint consultation with East Dimapur CSOs on the issue, adding that “no step can be taken without the support of civil society and the public.”
DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato, who convenes the committee for lifting the Act, informed that all participants had unanimously agreed to push for the Act’s repeal.
Convenor of the EDVCCF, Aheto Yepthomi, stated that even after 36 years of prohibition, the Act has caused more harm than good. While acknowledging and respecting the Church’s intention behind the law, he said the ground reality proves that prohibition has failed and urged the government to replace it with a regulated system to safeguard public welfare and health.
Dr Kahuka Sema, secretary of the repeal committee, clarified that the movement was not against the Church but for the people, arguing that lifting the Act would curb adulterated alcohol and allow regulation for public health and safety.
(With inputs from AIR/EM)