NLTP Act in Nagaland in its 35 years of existence had encouraged bottle-legging whose corruption has permeated from the top to bottom including the law enforcement agencies while “criminals” having the liquor licences and also backed by multiple parallel governments thereby creating a “mafia culture” within the Naga society which has far reaching consequences in the degradation of the moral fabric of the Naga society, it said
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation, Nagaland (ACAUT) has viewed the issue of total liquor prohibition in the state of Nagaland as a matter of serious concern impacting numerous lives and also social implications
ACAUT, in a press statement issued by its media cell stated that it believed that it is also crucial to voice its opinion rather remain silent on the matter as “pragmatism” and empirical evidences over delusional thinking be converged in order to strengthen or do away with the NLTP Act.
It asserted that it is entirely upto the government of the day to take a call as the prohibition file is now with the cabinet and it is the prerogative of pressure groups to voice their opinions and disagreement.
However, the government should act based on what it deems best for the state, stated ACAUT by citing that “If the government decides to continue with the prohibition Act then it must clearly state the reason and rationale for arriving at such decision”.
The NLTP Act in its present form is simply not implementable and is the root cause of its utter failure.
NLTP Act in Nagaland in its 35 years of existence had encouraged bottle-legging whose corruption has permeated from the top to bottom including the law enforcement agencies while “criminals” having the liquor licences and also backed by multiple parallel governments thereby creating a “mafia culture” within the Naga society which has far reaching consequences in the degradation of the moral fabric of the Naga society, it said.
ACAUT further went on to add that a “little investigation” by any citizens in Dimapur will find unregulated “booze shops” in the garb of water bottle shops in every nook and corner of almost every colony and villages operated by “goons and mafias”.
For the implementation of NLTP Act all over Nagaland, there is hardly 336 posts with 40 vacancies and it is impossible for the Act to be successful as the divergent views of the various denomination on prohibition in the state should be addressed among the Church leaders. The Church needs to introspect the proactive role it has played over the years with their respective congregation who are also citizens the rest of the week days as members of various CSOs.
There should be more healthy public dialogues and charter a convergent path of action on prohibition in Nagaland.
Nagas’ younger generation should no longer be raised in an environment of moral dilemma where hypocrisy has been promoted as a virtue by looking the other way which NLTP has normalised in the Christian majority society.
It further stated that ACAUT is of the view that the NLTP Act should be revoked in its present format as it is a complete mockery or be re-amended for thorough implementation.