KBBB firm on NLTP Act implementation
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 29 (MExN): The Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjüm (KBBB) has reiterated its firm stance on the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, emphasizing that the act’s implementation is the result of years of prayers, fasting, discussions, and the unwavering commitment of Naga Christians across generations.
The organisation stated that the NLTP Act is a legacy of the forebears’ vision for a better Nagaland, aimed at protecting families and communities from the devastating effects of liquor consumption. Highlighting the social issues linked to alcoholism, including broken families, health hazards, rising school dropouts, and moral decline, the KBBB stressed that the act was motivated by love for the people and concern for the future of Nagaland.
The KBBB cautioned against judging the NLTP Act as a failure or success without considering how effectively it is implemented. It urged that the law should not be “put in cold storage,” stressing that the act is a means to an end, not an end in itself. The problem, it said, lies in gaps in enforcement rather than prohibition itself.
Reminding Naga christians that the NLTP Act is more than just a legal statute, the organisation described it as a covenant between God and the churches under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council.
Addressing concerns over licensing and liquor-related revenue, the KBBB argued that the costs of liquor-related harms far exceed any potential tax benefits. It dismissed claims that prohibition leads youth to drug use as misleading, calling instead for collective efforts to provide healthier recreational alternatives.
The KBBB appealed to its members and the wider Naga community to prioritise the health and well-being of individuals and families and to uphold sobriety, warning that the potential harms of lifting the NLTP Act, whether partially or fully, far outweigh any perceived advantages.
DNSU calls NLTP ‘hypocritical,’ pushes for a realistic review
The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has reiterated its earlier demand for a serious and pragmatic review of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, saying the present situation requires collective honesty, responsibility and courage to address ground realities.
Stating that the Act, despite its original intent to curb alcohol misuse, has over the decades led to rampant illegal trade, DNSU said the State is now grappling with a growing crisis of substance and drug abuse. Citing recent surveys, it noted that Nagaland has an estimated 6.24 lakh substance users, including more than 1.11 lakh children and 26,000 women. It also estimated that around 1.2 lakh drug users consume over 20,000 kg of heroin and synthetic substances annually.
DNSU said society “cannot live in hypocrisy”—professing prohibition while ignoring the surge in drug use and illegal trade. The Union said proper guidelines, practical frameworks and sound governance were essential for tackling the challenges effectively.
A regulated and transparent system backed by accountability, community awareness, counselling and rehabilitation, it said, would help protect youth, improve public health and bring policy in line with ground realities. DNSU urged all stakeholders to engage in an honest dialogue on reforms prioritising the welfare of Nagaland.
