Dimapur Area Ao Ordained Minister Fellowship has made a declaration on liquor, related to Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP Act).
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The Bible has many references on issues pertaining to drinking of alcohol and drunkenness, however in brief, here are some Biblical references on the underlying subject. In Genesis 9:21, it is written, “Then he (Noah) drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.” Proverbs 23:32, “At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.” Ephesians 5:18, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”
During the advent of Naga National Movement, the Government of India (GOI) supplied Political Rum in huge quantity into Naga Hills. On February 5, 1962, the NBCC in its Mokokchung Session resolved to appeal the government to abolish liquor and rather divert the fund of the ‘Political Rum’ to some other Welfare projects. Hence, it came to an end.
After Nagaland attained its Statehood, NBCC under the leadership of Kenneth Kerhuo, Rev. Ayutemjem and Rev. Longri Ao approached Nagaland Government to abolish the sale of liquor by 1964. But the Government issued more licenses and opened many wine shops, in all districts. Then, on October 12 1966, NBCC met Chief Minister and his Cabinet, and urged that the rum quota for the guest entertainment be stopped and licenses be cancelled and all wine shops and bars be closed down by the end of 1966. The Government agreed to fulfill the demand of the NBCC, but on the contrary Government enacted the Nagaland Excise Act 1967 to manufacture, sell and use more liquor.
In 1967 NBCC Women Department was formed under the title ‘Nagaland Baptist Women Union’ (NBWU) and took up the prohibition crusade aggressively. Then, in 1969, NBCC appointed the Nagaland Central Committee on Liquor Prohibition, and requested the Government to cut down progressively the quota from wine dealers with an objective to ultimate prohibition. On Feb. 3, 1971, the NBCC requested the Government to terminate all licenses and close down all liquor shops within three years and enforce prohibition from 1973. Government agreed to abolish liquor; but to our surprise, they went back from their commitment and the Nagaland Excise Rule was passed in 1974 to regulate and promote wine sale in Nagaland.
Yet again, the NBCC continue to pressed the Government for Prohibition, to which on November 28, 1984, S.C. Jamir, the then Nagaland Chief Minister, announced that “the Cabinet considered the issue at length and decided that the existing licenses had to be allowed to run till the duration of the validity up to 31-03-1985… after that licenses would not be renewed… and drastically reduced.” But the Government did not keep its written assurance.
Thus, a ‘Do or Die Mass Movement’ was initiated, and on October 25-27, 1988, the NBCC at Pfutsero Session resolved to reinforce the movement and to launch strong protest movement through Hunger Strike and Non-cooperation Movement.
Subsequently, Mass Protest Rally was held in November 15, 1988 in Kohima; to this effect, strong memorandums were submitted to the Governor of Nagaland signed by 5000 Church Leaders during the President Rule. The Governor consented to honour the sentiments of the people and assured to grant their demand.
As the Mass movement for the Prohibition reached its zenith all over the State, Mon district was declared ‘Dry’ on October 1, 1988, making a record in prohibition history. In Mokokchung district, indefinite Hunger strike for Prohibition started on January 3, 1989, and on the second day, January 4 1989, the then Deputy Commissioner V. N. Gaur declared Mokokchung district ‘Dry’.
The fiercest Prohibition battle was waged in Kohima in 1989. The NBCC submitted an ultimatum to the Nagaland government to declare Nagaland State Dry and to legislate the Total Prohibition of liquor by March 15, 1989. If the demand was not fulfilled, Hunger Strike would be launched from March 17. Seeing the defiant attitude of the government, Hunger Strike, protest rally and demonstration were held from 17th -20th March 1989 by 5000 soldiers of Christ. But the Nagaland Government communicated that, “Government will require 60 days to examine all aspects to declare Nagaland a dry state by legislation”.
After the expiry of the 60 days, the government’s reply was that it needed another 40 days. But it was evident that the government was not serious about the people’s cries and was just playing delay tactics. Therefore, the NBCC called all Church leaders from all over Nagaland to resume the Hunger Strike.
On June 21, 1989, 1000 delegates gathered at Ao Baptist Church for prayer, instruction and medical checkup. The following day, on June 22, seven Church leaders entered the Assembly Hall to receive the Bill. But it was Bombay Prohibition Law 1949 Extension to Nagaland. The Bombay law says that anyone can manufacture, transport, possess, sell and use liquor after getting license from the fovernment. This was a terrible betrayal, blatant lie and a dangerous insult committed by the Government of Nagaland against its people.
Thus, 125 medically found fitted Servants of God volunteers had started Indefinite Hunger Strike at 6:00 A.M on June 23, 1989, ready to lay down their lives in front of the Assembly Hall at Phoolbari. It was a very touching scene to see grey haired and bald-headed 125 spiritual giants from all over Nagaland. Among those 125 brave warriors of Christ, 45 of them were from Ao community.
Today, the younger generation may not have the heart and mind to comprehend these incidents, as they have not witnessed them. However, for those who have witnessed it all along, surely, might recall them vividly. Those leaders who sacrificed their lives for a worthy cause; many of them refused to drink even water and their body weights reduced up to 10 kg. However, against their will, 10 of them were hospitalised. After 81 hours of Hunger Strike, the Nagaland government assured to introduce Total Prohibition Bill on the floor of the Assembly.
NLTP Act is not an accomplishment through physical force or conflict, but accomplished through life sacrifices, prayers and petitions, and the immeasurable tears shed for the cause. Yet today, different organisations are raising their voices to repeal this act, and appealing the government to amend the act. Here are some of the important claims to repeal the Act.
First, rise in drug abuse after enacting NLTP Act.
Second, even before the Act was considered for enactment, cases of ganja, and heroin use were significant in Nagaland.
Third, lifting the Act would make way for good and unspurious liquor.
Fourth, churches do nothing concrete with regard to use of alcohol, but pressurizes the government not to repeal the act.
Fifth, churches should only concentrate on spiritual domain, and not involve in the domain of politics…. however, church beliefs in the holistic redemption; that is to say salvation of both the physical as well spiritual.
The NLTP Act in its whole has been enacted purposefully, however here are some grounds of failure in its implementation:
NLTP Act Chapter I Part 1(7), and Chapter III (25) lays down that there shall be a Director of Prohibition, Chapter III (26) lays down appointment of Prohibition Officers, and Chapter III (27) lays down to constitute Prohibition Council at the State Level and Prohibition Committee at the District Level. This implies that, the Act was enacted to ban liquor in Nagaland, however, it has not been implemented ever since.
Therefore, the failure of NLTP Act lies fundamentally in its absence of credible implementation; and not its inoperability.
Is there substantial statement that claims NLTP Act is a failure? If at all NLTP Act is to be repealed or revisited, is the medical department prepared for the casualties? How so is the Police Department prepared? What about the Excise Department? One of our elected members of the Legislature once said, “There are only 336 excise personnel for the whole of Nagaland.”
Therefore, the reason why the failure of NLTP Act surfaces is all due to its failure to implement, and not simple it cannot be operational. Hence, the Nagaland Government should be steadfast and persistent in implementing the provisions laid down by the NLPT Act. Even the churches should be active and willing to sacrifice at all cost to the greatest extent and stand firm against the abrogation of NLTP Act.
Finally, for the Nagas, the NLTP Act - liquor symbolises a cursed and abominable substance. Therefore, we dread that the curse of the Kohima incidents of 1989 befalls upon whomsoever are enthusiastic to repeal the Act.
Rev. Dr. Kari Longchar
Convener
Rev. C. Walu Walling
Secretary