Former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee President K Therie has called for a strong public mandate on whether to continue or repeal the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, holding the state government, the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and Naga underground organisations collectively responsible for what he described as the failure of the law.
In a statement, Therie said the question of whether to lift or continue the NLTP Act should be decided through a public mandate, arguing that the present system had failed to address the widespread availability of illicit and spurious liquor in Nagaland.
“State Govt, NJCF and Naga Underground Organisations are collectively responsible for the failure of the NLTP Act,” he said.
Referring to deaths reportedly linked to the consumption of illicit liquor, Therie said that in September and October 2026, at least 23 deaths, including cases in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, had been linked to methanol poisoning from spurious liquor.
He further claimed that alcohol abuse and addiction had caused extensive harm to young people and families across the state.
“In the larger context, more than 50% of deaths of our youth is related to spurious alcohol and addiction,” Therie stated, adding that tens of thousands of people had died in hospitals from alcohol-related illnesses or were struggling with health problems associated with addiction.
He said the consequences extended beyond health, affecting family finances, social standing and relationships.
“While the economy of lakhs of families is destroyed, the matter does not end there,” he said, adding that siblings and relatives also faced social stigma when family members struggling with addiction were considered for marriage or entrusted with responsibilities.
Therie alleged that spurious liquor was widely available throughout Nagaland, including in villages and urban areas.
“Nagaland is under the spell of alcohol. Spurious alcohol is flowing in all the villages,” he said.
He estimated that more than 5,000 outlets might be operating in urban areas, with over 2,000 reportedly in Dimapur alone. He also alleged that Naga underground organizations encouraged the illicit liquor trade and claimed that monthly tax collections exceeded Rs 10–12 crore.
These estimates and allegations were not independently substantiated in the statement.
Questioning the government’s approach to prohibition, Therie said the NLTP Act was being treated primarily as a restriction on the transportation of alcohol rather than as a measure to protect public health, the economy and families.
“The government of the day views NLTP as a mere tool, prohibition from transportation, and not from the point of health, economy, or family,” he said.
He also alleged that bonded warehouse licences issued to manage supplies for paramilitary forces were being misused to transport alcohol in trucks across Nagaland.
On the position of the NJCF, Therie acknowledged that the forum had opposed lifting the NLTP Act and had consistently called for its strict enforcement. However, he said some organizations had disregarded that position and demanded repeal on the grounds that prohibition had failed.
Referring to the issuance of liquor permits during the Hornbill Festival, Therie described the arrangement as a test of the government’s approach to the law, questioning whether the authorities considered the policy successful.
Criticising enforcement measures against small traders, he said he did not support the seizure and public destruction of thousands of cases of alcohol while larger consignments were allegedly transported through bonded warehouse licensees.
“In my considered view, I do not approve of punishing petty traders who are working for their livelihood by impounding thousands of cases of alcohol and destroying them before the media, whilst bonded warehouse licensees are allowed to transport in huge truckloads to all destinations,” he said.
He described the practice as one that harmed the poor, calling it “a crime against humanity.”
Therie called for stricter enforcement of the law, alongside education, discipline, rehabilitation and vocational training for young people affected by addiction.
“Nagaland needs to enforce the law of the land, educate decency, manners, discipline, rehabilitate and train derailed youths for professional service,” he said.
He also proposed that government employees struggling with alcohol addiction be placed in reformatory institutions for at least two years, where they could contribute as trainers and teachers while receiving support themselves.
“Only a strong mandate can decide,” Therie said, reiterating that the decision on whether to lift or continue the NLTP Act was a question before the state government and Naga underground organisations.
