Mokokchung, January 29: Excise Commissioner, Maongwati Aier termed the issue of Liquor Prohibition as a “people war against evil” and asserted that every citizen has a part of play against this evil.
Speaking as a resource person at the ABAM Social Concern Consultation Programme at Impur on January 28, the Excise Commissioner Maongwati Aier, who has been instrumental in revamping the Excise Department in the state, lamented that the general public remain a silent spectator hoping others of government to do everything for them.
“Prohibition is a 'People War' against evil where every citizen has a part to play. Unfortunately, we Nagas know how to give many suggestions to others but himself does nothing,” the Excise Commissioner said.
Ridiculing the idea that lifting of prohibition Act would bring more revenue to the state, Maongwati said that even if more revenue is generated through the lifting of NTLP Act, the consequent health hazards though open sale and consumption of alcohol and money spent on medical treatment would be much higher than the revenue generated.
He even said that if Prohibition is lifted, then children, instead of buying Coca-cola, would buy alcohol and drink it. In this connection, the Excise Commissioner suggested some measures to check alcoholism in the state. He suggested that the government should create employment avenues for the educated unemployed youths since most of the youths are taking to drinking out of frustration and unemployment.
He also suggested the introduction of vocational and professional need-based courses in the educational system to tackle the menace of alcoholism in the society.
Besides, expressing deep concern about drug addiction and smuggling in the state, Maongwati pointed out that Nagaland lies close to the notorious 'Golden Triangle' in southeast Asia from where illicit drugs are smuggled to different parts of the world.
In this regard, he said that the Narcotic Control Bureau has created database of trafficiking operations, networks and routes in the country and there 'has been intensive financial investigation and forfeiture of assets of drug traffickers and their associates'.
Saying it is on record that Nagaland ranks the first in seizures and convictions of drug traffickers in the northeast region of India, Maongwati said that the state excise department is keeping strict vigil round the clock and trying its best with all its available resources at its disposal to check illegal trafficking of narcotic and other drug cases in the state.
He added that, so far, all the drug cases seized and registered in the court of law ended in cent percent conviction. In this connection, the Excise Commissioner acknowledged the district & Session Judge Dimapur and his team for their concern and dedication in the fight against drugs.
Giving a clarion call to all the other enforcement agency, organization, NGs who are working in the related field in combating the dreaded drug menace, Maongwati asserted that it should not simply be ritualistic affair like organizing such a consultation programme.
He suggested that a roadmap can be charted out with follow up actions and adopt multi-prong approach and a strategy to combat this dreaded drug meance in a 'fight to the finish'.
It may be noted here that the ABAM or Ao Baptist Church Council organized a Social Concern Consultation Programme where different sections of the society like the Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and others attended the meet. It may also be noted that the ABAM had resolved in the year 2011 to make Mokokchung a complete dry district within the next ten years.
