DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 11 (MExN): More Church associations have come out in support of proper implementation of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act.
The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC), in a press release today, reiterated its commitment to uphold the Act and its support to the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in the fight against the “evil of liquor, and protection of human life and society from this menace.”
The ABCC expressed concern with the reemerging voices for the repealing of the NLTP Act; and “this time around they are the voices of the custodians of the Act itself, and guardians of society responsible for maintaining society's civility.” The Church, as the conscience of society strongly opposes any attempt to repeal the Act, it stated.
The ABCC said that the NLTP Act of 1989 is an “outcome of a collective arduous struggle and battle spearheaded by the Church, and it is an Act legislated by the government.” “However, regrettably even after more than three decades of its legislation the implementation of the Act is yet to be fully realized. To the church the Act has not failed but the implementation of the Act has failed,” it observed.
It further noted that while the Act “may not be perfect and may need tightening some loopholes, but if what is already in the Act is sincerely implemented, it will definitely bring positive results.” The ABCC appealed to the government day to strengthen its mechanism and implement the Act in all sincerity without delay.
Meanwhile, the Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA) said that Nagaland is a unique State in terms of history, customs, people and land. “We need to preserve as it because it is God-given land. Our God has a special plan for our Naga people, therefore, the leaders of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), political leaders, elected members and right-thinking citizens of the land must first seek the will of God,” a press release from the association stated.
It opined that the NLTP Act “has its own uniqueness and history such as tears and emotions of Naga mothers, prayer and fast unto death by Naga Church leaders and visionary leaders of the State that is to solely protect Naga families.”
It claimed that the NLTP Act “has not done any damage and ramification to Naga people so far.” Rather, it said that the Act has “protected Naga families, couples and spouses’ lives, decreased incidence of violence against women, led to lower rates of drinking alcohol among men, minimized road accidents, controlled senseless drunken fights on the street etc.”
“Which do our government and CSOs base in Dimapur weight more, Revenue income or life?” the association questioned. It observed that Dimapur is not simply a commercial hub of the state, but it is also a destination city for every Naga citizen. “Why can’t Dimapur based CSOs be a role model for other district CSOs to be emulated? If liquor is totally banned in Dimapur, then rest of the districts can easily practice in letter and spirit,” it argued.
The PBCA appealed to the government to totally ban all type of liquor/alcohol in the State and hoped that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly will deliberate in good faith, and vigorously implement the Act with “political will and spiritual ferventness.”
