The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Council (AKMWC) has called for amendment of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, stating that the law in its present form has failed to address the ground reality in Kohima.
In a statement issued on February 23, the AKMWC said that “much liquor has flowed into Nagaland since the enactment of the NLTP Act, 1989” and alleged that Kohima is “inundated by a relentless stream of toxic and spurious liquor, available 24×7, 365 days a year,” despite efforts by Ward and Colony Councils. It noted that periodic surprise raids at ungodly hours, penalties, warnings, public shaming, destruction of illicit stock and even expulsion from localities have failed to produce lasting deterrence, while the Government has cited manpower and enforcement limitations.
AKMWC stated that the Act, though well intentioned, failed to account for “predictable human behaviour” and that no jurisdiction, however strict, has successfully enforced total prohibition without leakage. “Even states and nations claiming absolute prohibition confront smuggling, illicit distillation and substitution with narcotics such as Khap, Opium and other substances. Total prohibition, in practice, is fiction,” it maintained.
The AKMWC stated that during its General Body Meeting in September 2024, it undertook an in depth discussion on the Act and its impact. A subsequent survey reportedly found over 500 illegal liquor outlets operating across the 19 wards, including mineral water shops, juice stalls, pan shops and residential quarters. It claimed that “a gentle knock at midnight or a phone call was sufficient” to procure liquor and expressed concern over the social and health consequences.
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“The result is, hundreds and thousands condemned to early deaths. Families burdened with chronic illness. Youth pushed toward cheaper substance abuse. Corruption of governmental agencies and strengthening of criminal elements,” it said.
In its General Body Meeting held on June 9, 2025, the AKMWC resolved to advocate scrapping the Act “in its present form” and proposed “a regulatory framework rooted in practicality and learned experience to achieve the core objectives of the Act without perpetuating its failure.”
The AKMWC proposed that the measures should, amongst others, include replacing “blanket criminalisation with a tightly regulated licensing system.” Other measures suggested include capping outlets district-wise, empowering wards and villages with statutory veto over retail establishments within their jurisdiction, prohibiting sales near educational and religious institutions, mandating strict age verification and quantity limits per individual, and restricting sale hours and days. It also proposed high excise duties with statutory earmarking for addiction treatment, rehabilitation and sustained public health messaging, establishing a digital supply tracking mechanism to prevent diversion, and enforcing severe penalties for illicit distillation, adulteration and smuggling.
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The AKMWC termed attempts by certain religious groups to dismiss legitimate public distress and inclusive civic engagement by civil society organisations as a “whirlwind of public opinion” as unfortunate and unacceptable in a secular democratic society.
“The era of threats with fire, brimstone and Damnation is gone, done, over. Let there be no illusion that earthly institutions hold the passport, visa or ticket to Heaven other than through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” the AKMWC stated.
It further said that “obdurate attempts to block amendment of the NLTP Act, 1989 serve neither God nor Man” and that it is time for all sections of society to confront reality.
“Assist the Government in undertaking practical reform for the greater good. At the very least, stop obstructing solutions if you refuse to be part of one,” the AKMWC concluded.
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