Dimapur, September 13 (MExN): Community leaders and village authorities from villages under the Chümoukedima Town circle have resolved to appeal the state government to revisit the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, and suggested that the government initiate wide consultative meetings with the stakeholders on whether to amend or withdraw the Act.
The resolution was among the many others that were taken during a meeting between villages under Chümoukedima Town circle on September 12 under the initiative of the Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT), according to a press release.
During the meeting, some of the members highlighted that “the kingpins or illegal liquor barons of Nagaland state and living in either of the village in and around Chümoukedima” have a “powerful syndicate network, where national workers, excise and police personnel manning the check gates are also involved due to hefty sum paid to them on regular basis,” the release stated.
It also said that the leaders questioned the credibility of the NLTP Act and emphasized on the need for the state government to either ‘put more tooth’ to the implementing agency or lift the Act altogether.
As such, a number of resolutions were taken by the villages which include Tenyiphe I village, Sodzulhou village, Sovima village, Chümoukedima ‘A’ village as well as Chumoukedima town.
The house appreciated the 5th Assam Rifles who busted the illegal spurious liquor bottling plant at 7th Mile Model Village on September 4 and unanimously resolved to cooperate and support the security forces or any agency fighting against these ‘parasites,’ it stated.
It also appealed to the Police Commissioner and Excise department to destroy the confiscated consignments in full public view without misusing them, while urging the concerned authority to award stringent actions against those who were caught for this nefarious business.
Further, the house requested the NBCC to put in concerted and continuous efforts to keep pressuring the state government and also prepare an action plan for the church to continually fight against such activities.
The villages under Chümoukedima Town circle, particularly those in the vicinity of the National Highway, meanwhile resolved to impose heavy penalties to the house owners and land lords who are found involved in the banned and prohibited activities and resolved to “to stop and flush out” sale of illegal liquor and any banned psychotropic substances with joint efforts.
