Tokato G. Sumi
President, DSSU
41 Church Colony, Circular Road
Dimapur
Indeed, it was a fact and also an awesome response by the observer that Prohibition is a boon for the smugglers and sale of spurious liquor (nagalandpost.com poll on June 17 ‘06). Considering to the poll’s reply, I would also like to contribute my opinion on the prohibition topic.
Since the last few decades, the issue “Nagaland a Dry State,” has been talked and debated about in almost all wake of life, sorry, not talked about but ridiculed. This is a fact and cannot be ignored any longer. The truth is Nagaland has never been a DRY STATE at all.
Various organizations which spearheaded the movement for the prohibition have hopelessly been defeated. The reason behind this is they used emotions rather than their brains. This is not the first time that our leaders have blundered. Remember the declarations ‘Nagaland for Christ’ and ‘Ten thousand Missionaries for the World.’ Leaving aside other points and sticking to PROHIBITION, it would be vindicated to study the issue and what answers will you get?
a) Nagaland has never been DRY. Whereas in the past there were only a few licensed establishments, now many so-called Restaurants and hotels have mushroomed up doing ill-repute business.
b) Interestingly, these days we find numerous adulterated alcohols in Nagaland, (due to quantity of demand instead of quality).
c) The Price of IMFL has spiraled to three times the original cost and as a result, the younger generation, which cannot afford IMFL, has taken to all kinds of chemicals & drugs which are available, cheaper but more serious & dangerous to health.
d) Drugs addiction has multiplied since Prohibition. Population wise, Nagaland state must have secured the first rank in the list of the highest number of drug addicts and AIDS in the country by now.
e) Prohibition has not in the least cut down on the troubles of families; rather a vast increase is experienced.
f) Because of the lucrative black-market in IMFL and drugs, many mafia-like organizations have sprung up and much of the law and order problems are related to alcohol and drugs. The younger generations are the sufferers.
g) Also some genuine income is lost to the state while surrounding states are being benefited.
In short, Prohibition has brought with it NOTHING, but Misery. Of course we cannot say that none have benefited, but what I would like to stress is that a vast majority has been badly affected. At the onset of the movement for prohibition, the Churches harped upon the ‘bottle’ being the cause of all evils whereas the real devil is a man himself. Our Church leaders have been or trained and dedicated themselves to win over the hearts of men and women. Well this is what they should do first. They failed and blamed the bottle. This is a joke! A crying shame.
I appeal to all the organizations that stood side by side for prohibition, to realize the futility of the issue, acknowledge defeat (to admit defeat and to be in peace is wiser than to keep on combating a lost battle) and endeavor to change the hearts of mankind. Lift the ban, regular the Supply, insure that underage persons are not provided. Failure to do so will only have adverse affects.
The Department of Excise, Police and other law enforcing authorities of the State have also completely FAILED. In fact, many personnel of the same are involved in this business, if not why no proper action been taken. Almost daily in the press Medias there will be some report on IMFL seized by Excise/Police and Mr. X/Y arrested. Unfortunately, those detained by the authorities are the ones who cannot afford to pay bribes at check gate, whereas many possessing large quantity suppliers have never been caught.
Dimapur being a cosmopolitan town, made up of areas/wards, colonies and villages with respective G.B’s and Councils (Leaders) and also Youth leaders. There are also responsible citizens and Church workers everywhere. The happenings in their respective places are well known to them. At meetings they say they will lend a hand with the administration. But what are the G.B’s and Councils doing? For how long shall we pretend to be deaf or how much more are we going to turn a blind eye?
If we cannot do something or stay focus on the situation, there is no point insisting that our task is a Success. We have become a laughing stock. We ought to realize our capacity and be practical now.
She (Nagaland) has faced enough pain and shame where prohibition is concerned. Alas! Save the coming Naga generation before it’s too late.
Admit DEFEAT, Lift the BAN!!
