CSOs authorise DUCCF to pursue lifting of NLTP Act in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — Dimapur-based civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) have fully authorised and endorsed the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) to pursue lifting of the contentious Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, particularly in Dimapur district.

This was announced by NCD President Etsungmomo Kikon following a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting with the organisations at the NCD conference hall in Dimapur on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, Kikon referred to two representations for the repeal of the Act that were submitted to the Governor of Nagaland. “Perhaps the copies have been submitted to the government, though we could not meet the government in person,” he said, noting that the representations did not yield any response from the state government.

He said that the organisations held the meeting to assess the progress of the representation, and the house, consisting of all major heads, has resolved that the issue will be taken up with the government.

“To do this, the civil societies have fully authorised and endorsed the DUCCF. In this, all the presidents of civil society will be members of the committee and we will have consultation among ourselves and pursue the issue,” he said.

Acknowledging the responsibility handed over to the forum, DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato said that the forum will have to conduct a lot of consultations with civil society and leaders to look into the three-decade-old issue.

“We will not leave anybody out but will have consultations with every section of society in Dimapur,” he assured.

When asked if the CSOs are pushing for partial or total lifting of the NLTP Act, the NCD president responded that the demand will currently be for Dimapur district, as the district is the ‘most affected’.

The DUCCF president confirmed it and added that Niuland and Chümoukedima districts are not included, although a copy of the memorandum was submitted to the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) in 2023.

Responding to a query on the reaction of the Dimapur-based churches, Kikon said that one consultative meeting was held with the churches.

“The church leaders are very clear on their stand for the NLTP Act to continue to be implemented. We honour and respect their demand because, after long pursuit, study and observation, they came up with this Act. So they are very clear with their stand. The NLTP Act had come out of their effort so they feel that if it is repealed, it will have worse consequences,” he said.