ABCC opposes any attempt to repeal Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act

DIMAPUR — The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) has reiterated its commitment to uphold the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989 and reaffirmed “its support to the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in the fight against the evil of liquor, and protection of human life and society from this menace.”

It came days after Dimapur civil society organisations under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur urged the state government to lift the controversial Act in the commercial hub.

Terming the re-emergence of voices for repealing the NLTP Act as ‘deeply concerning’, the ABCC said that “this time around they are the voices of the custodians of the Act itself, and guardians of society responsible for maintaining society’s civility.”

As the conscience of society, the Church strongly opposes any attempt to repeal the Act, it stated.

“The NLTP Act of 1989 is an outcome of a collective arduous struggle and battle spearheaded by the Church, and it is an Act legislated by the Government. However, regrettably, even after more than three decades of its legislation the implementation of the Act is yet to be fully realised,” read the statement from ABCC.

To the church, the Act has not failed but the implementation has, it said.

“The Act may not be perfect and may need tightening some loopholes, but if what is already in the Act is sincerely implemented, it will definitely bring positive results,” said the ABCC while requesting the government of Nagaland to “strengthen its mechanism and implement the Act in all sincerity without delay and give Nagaland’s future generations a chance to live!”

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