Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 5
Alcohol is ‘consumed all over Nagaland’ and it is time to accept the reality. Revoke or partially lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989 with stringent regulation and implementation. This would at least stop people from drinking spurious liquor and generate to the State.
This was the most common way forward suggested in response to The Morung Express Poll question this week: What do you think is the way forward for the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989?
A total of 65% of the respondents opted for ‘Total Revocation,’ while 14% called for ‘Partial Revocation and 17% choose ‘Others.’
Accordingly, over 81% of the respondents favoured lifting of the Act, either totally or partially, while most opting for ‘Others’ also suggested for doing away with prohibition.
Just 4% of over 100 respondents received till Saturday afternoon supported continuation of the NLTP Act, with stricter implementation.
Accept Reality
“We need to accept the reality that alcohol is consumed all over Nagaland and is easily available. Nagaland cannot maintain status quo with the prohibition and must take steps to open up the market so that the state government can generate revenue from sale of alcohol,” commented a reader.
Other pointed out to how the NLTP Act has made “liquor more expensive, more spurious and more adulterated,”
“It' is high time govt. should take bold decision for ‘Total revocation.'”
A respondent also pointed out how implementation of prohibition act was not successful anywhere in the world and implied that the enforcement of “complicated” NLTP Act was destined to fail in Nagaland, where “even ordinary rules cannot be implemented.”
Stating that the Act was enacted without thorough study, with no proper visualisation of its management, but just to ‘please some section of the society,’ the reader argued that it is teaching Nagas “the practice of illegal way which was not common in the society” while resulting in health issues and revenue loss.
‘The irony is some sections of the people involved in the Act are making money, so they want to continue the prohibition act.’
‘Total revocation with strict rules on issue of liquor with valid age proof ID and for people health issues,’ said another.
The Church needs to ‘focus more on their part and let the government do their work,’ stated another.
“In a democracy, even an individual voice is taken into consideration. Here, in Nagaland, Church, CSOs, UGs decide what we should eat, drink or work when they themselves are the most corrupt. Try criticizing them, they will send Bosti council member or even curse you from your failure's, that's how our society works…” the respondent highlighted.
Implying existence of certain moral hypocrisy, the respondent added, “How far is dishonesty (Greed, stealing funds, Bribery, & Backdoor Systems) saving the souls of Naga Christians?”
“Liquor is not banned in the countries of those who brought Christianity to us,” quipped one respondent, while another added: “I don't drink at all but better to lift up for younger generation; please don’t listen to some hypocritical leaders. Open it fast…”
Gradual process
Meanwhile, a respondent opting for ‘partial lifting’ suggested for more ‘governmental assertion.’
“The Constitution gives the state government executive functions, by virtue of which it becomes a policy-making entity. It is important to take public opinion in policy matters but it is just as important to take matters by the horn when required and the issue at hand deserves so,” the respondent stated.
“As a Constitutional entity, it is not wise to always to be swayed by public opinion, in this case, a religious body. Get assertive for once. Follow it up by drawing up a plan to amend the Act i.e. partial lifting or totally repealing the Act,” the respondent continued.
“When legislators and bureaucrats can siphon public funds without fear of divine wrath, why are they even wary of a worldly body of clergy folks? They are opposing just for the sake of opposing. It's just a facade to placate their religious ego.”
Other said that while prohibition cannot continue, the State is also “ill-prepared for total revocation as well.”
Accordingly, a reader while stating that prohibition is illogical suggested a ‘step by step process.’
It included partially lifting with a check on the revenue and gradually moving forward while creating Awareness and education on abusive use.
Other steps included checking whether lifting the ban helps the economy grow and also control the consumption of spurious liquor.
It further called implementing strict rules on curbing minors from buying liquor.
The Church must focus on spiritually changing a person, the reader said.
A reader opting for continuation of the Act called for stricter implementation while another stated: “When there is demand, somehow supply comes in. It's the law of economics. If the Church is concerned about prohibition it must seriously work with its flock so that there is no demand. If there is no demand that issue of prohibition or no prohibition will not matter.”
Among those choosing 'Others' as a way forward, a respondent stated, “Whatever the government decides implement it well. Make stringent rule for people getting drunk and creating havoc in family, society and execute that well to.”
Partial lifting then progress to total revocation after studying the difference and impact, suggested another.
For another, it was a matter of personal choice.
“It is personal choice whether to drink or smoke, you can't stop. Almost 30 years and still in vain! What you can do now? Total revocation might be good decision...”
