GT Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima
The NLTP Act of 1989 is the most controversial issue in Nagaland, perhaps second only to sovereignty matters. But my intention of this small piece is not to contest the continuation or withdrawal of prohibition; supporting one side will only earn me the condemnation of the other. The Government of Nagaland has specialised in the art of begging from Delhi, what with our members often making trips with begging bowls. So what! We elected them to do this job, didn’t we? Who cares for the loss of measly revenue of a few hundred crore rupees annually from the bottle of sin, when the Government of India is ever willing give us all the money that we need to keep the peace, which we may never know.
However, it pricks the conscience that after 31/2 decades we see the business still booming, except that the number of liquor shops have grown tremendously, of course, to keep pace with the rapidly rising population. It is also irritating that the Government is forced to have consultative meetings on the issue from time to time with the concerned organisations. Why hold public discourses on the Act anymore, when we know we can never lift it? There are more important matters at hand.
Today there is still free-flow of alcohol in Nagaland. You can get it in every nook and corner of our DRY state. Many pan shops have doubled up as wine shops. Most soft drink shops, perhaps all, are actually wine shops in disguise. We can proudly compete with the WET states in the variety and quantity we offer. Quality, of course, is not our forte; our roads, drains, etc. are some other examples. Bars are doing roaring business, but some parallel governments are forced to issue constant warnings to bar owners to shut down their establishments early every night, to prevent drunken brawls, immoral activities, etc. Wine is served at official functions and most parties. Alcohol overflows during the Hornbill Festival. This is the normal!
What’s more, these shops also sell alcohol near schools and churches. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the uniqueness of our state. Some of these schools and churches came into existence decades before prohibition. Many states do not allow wine shops to operate within 500 m of academic and holy institutions. Some states permit a minimum distance of 100 m. One liquor shop I know is about 50 m away from a school gate. Another is 80 m away. There may be nearer ones. Those WET states should learn from us. Get on with Liquor Prohibition and you too are free to allow liquor shops to operate anywhere, even right in front of institutions.
Cheers!!!
