Dimapur, Dec 29 (MExN): Moral policing continually finds popular cultures – particularly those which are youth-retentive – wanting, and thus, an expected but unwitting quarry. In Nagaland, particularly Dimapur city, with the festive season on way to exit but hardly any signs that the festivity is ebbing, various administrative entities, both legal and de facto, have put their foot down on pop culture – the NSCN (IM) has prohibited holding of ‘disco nites’ and ‘musical nites’ in hotels/restaurants in Dimapur while the Dimapur Municipal Council, acting on its earlier notification prohibiting alcohol, has commenced clamping down on outlets.
Nagaland, one of the only few states in India which was proudly declared ‘dry State’ by the state government in 1989 and which still claims to be, is in fact not at all “dry,” with liquor both processed and adulterated, doing its rounds comfortably. The aura of this rampant trade can especially be felt in the capital, Kohima and its commercial city, Dimapur where one can easily procure a bottle of preferred choice of drinks from restaurants, ‘mudhu ghars’ and even paan shops. With this assertion, the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) today conducted surprise raids on hotels and restaurants in the city and seized 55 cases (30 cases of rum and 25 cases of beers) of liquors of different brands. The raid was led by T Lotha, Atomu Wotsa and Khekaho.
The DMC has requested the public to cooperate with the committee in ‘driving out anti-social activities’ from the town. It has also appealed the excise department to check and take necessary measures to keep the city free from liquor. While terming today’s raid as a warning, the DMC has warned that it will arrest the owner/proprietor of hotels or restaurants concerned if they are caught selling liquor and also that the trade license will be cancelled.
This raid comes in the wake of a directive earlier prohibiting ‘selling and consumption’ of alcohol in hotels/restaurants in Dimapur. The DMC had also issued reminders against the same. The raids are likely to continue through out the festive season.
The availability of liquor in this ‘Dry State’ has been proved once again by the high rate of accidents and the drunken brawls this Christmas. The Dimapur traffic police registered 16 accidents and 3 deaths in 1 week which according to a traffic police personal was ‘drinking and driving.’
On the economic point of view, many have shared their opinion that the ‘ban of liquor means transferring society’s wealth in the hand of few.’ While some view the ban as ‘transfer of Nagaland’s money to Assam.’ It is more interesting to note that on Sundays hundreds of vehicles rather than head for the Church, cross the border for liquor in Assam.
Also, the NSCN-IM has called for a virtual ban on “disco nites and musical nites” in Dimapur maintaining that these are “demoralizing” Naga culture. The organization maintains that “we are all born from Christian family” and the “evil practices” that are being done in the subscribed activities are “against Christian principles”. On this argument, ‘UT-I Secretary’ of the NSCN-IM Romeo Sankhil issued a notice today directing all owners/proprietors of hotels/restaurants against holding “disco nite and musical nite” in Dimapur. It warned that if any such event is found to be held, the owner/proprietor concerned would face stern action.
The NSCN-IM held view that it is a challenge “for an immediate reformation towards the demoralizing value of the Naga culture” which is being seen, felt and known in the society today. “Indeed, our youngsters are knowingly encouraging the practices that were never to be done as seen in ‘disco and musical nite’; they have been taken away with the temporary emotions of a party as they find it as the life with drinking of alcohol that tends to encourage all evil practices in the name of that occasion” the note stated. It also asserted that parents and guardians will never allow their children to be in these places if the scenes are witnessed where youngsters “do whatever is not to be done”. All concerned are asked to cooperate for “better atmosphere in our society”.
