Will take immediate action to curb flow of liquor: Excise department

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Dimapur, February 24 (MExN): The Excise department will form a dedicated committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner (NC) as Convenor, to look into the implementation of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.

This was informed in a press release from Commissioner of Excise, Dimapur, following an emergency meeting between senior officers of the Excise department and Advisor for Excise, Sericulture and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio at the Excise Directorate on February 24.

The release stated that the Advisor took the 7 day ultimatum given by the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) in all seriousness and termed it as a “wake up call” for the department to take immediate action to curb the flow of liquor. While taking note of the difficulties faced by the department in executing the NLTP Act, the Advisor is also said to have expressed the need for “active participation of all stakeholders, be it NGOs, Police or Administration.”

In the face of security threats from elemental forces, he observed that the department should be modernised and equipped with adequate logistics and arms, the press release stated.

Meanwhile, the Dimapur Ao Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship (DAABPF) came out in support of the DNSU in its demand to shutdown liquor outlets. 

“Shutting down of liquor shops is a long felt call for every right thinking citizen; particularly it is the cry of churches all over the State,” the press release stated. 

Lamenting the ill effects of liquor among families, the youth and the society in general, DAABPF extended prayers and support to the DNSU while also requesting other churches to pray for the mission.