Chakhesang Baptist Church Council flays Naga Council Dimapur over NLTP Act

DIMAPUR — The Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) has expressed dismay over the decision of the Dimapur CSOs under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) on the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989.

It came a day after the NCD wrote in its representation to the governor that the CSOs in Dimapur want the NLTP Act to be lifted with ‘proper mechanism’ as it’s a “total failure” in the district.

While acknowledging that the Act is a ‘total failure’ in the state, the CBCC also said it has never been seriously implemented since its inception and that the government machineries as well as the CSOs have miserably failed on the matter.

“If the CSOs have the audacity to appeal for the lifting of the Act, they have the authority as well as the capacity to strengthen the Act. If the CSOs and Govt. authorities claim to be ignorant about where the loopholes are in executing the NLTP Act, they are inefficient to hold their positions because they are not only incapable but unreliable,” read the press release, adding that bootleggers are operating under the nose of the authorities.

It went on to say that the Act must stay as war against drugs must go on. “Now, there is war against drugs and calling on the lifting of Liquor Prohibition Act is ridiculous! Can the CSOs enlighten the public the difference between the two evils? As for the church, if we are to choose between two evils, we will choose none!” it said.

While admitting to the failure of the church with local churches and associations not doing enough as moral and spiritual guardians of its members, the CBCC said the church has limitations when it comes to executing legal matters, which is a state matter.

It said “revenue is another temptation to ruin human lives”, and that “prosperity craze has overshadowed human dignity in our land! Human beings are not raw materials for revenue generation. We must choose human dignity above economic development!”

Pointing out that liquor does not come to the state on its own but by the people of Nagaland, it asked if the people should amend their attitude and conducts or allow liquor to come to the state legally and ruin people’s lives.

“You cannot drink what you do not have but you will always be tempted to take what you do not need if it is readily available! Telling people not to use after providing it is illogical!” it stated.

“Finally, the genesis of NLTP Act, according to a reliable source, was external conspiracy of ‘A bottle in every office’ to ruin Nagaland which prompted the church to go on a hunger strike to save our land and her people!” it added while lauding the then leaders for enacting the Act.

It also said that no sensible government would dismantle what was passed to safeguard the citizens and that any benevolent civil society organizations would vouch to protect its own members.

Also read: NCD calls NLTP Act ‘total failure’, seeks infrastructure developments for Dimapur