DNSU prods Nagaland govt. to ponder on efficacy of liquor prohibition

Dimapur, Oct. 9 (EMN): Perturbed with the unabated inflow of liquor into the state, the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has urged the state government and all its stakeholders to thoroughly study the boon and bane of its prohibition and suggested to either bring some stricter regulations in legalising the sale of liquor or to amend and vitalise the NLTP Act of 1989.

In this regard, DNSU has expressed sincere appreciation towards the 5 Assam Rifles for its swift action and efforts in busting a liquor bottling plant at 7th Mile on September 2 and the subsequent seizure of huge quantities of liquor from 5th Mile on September 29. It stated that the prompt actions had helped in cracking down illegal activities operating in plenty, which is a serious threat to the society if allowed to continue uncurbed.

As the main accused is reported to be still absconding, DNSU stated that such elements pose huge threat to the public if the culprit is not nabbed at the earliest. While reminding the case to the knowledge of the concerned authority, DNSU demanded that the arrested persons be booked and penalised under relevant sections of the law and in the most befitting manner.

The union stated that the incidents had exposed the incompetency and lax on the part of Excise department, the nodal enforcement department of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989.

“It points towards the negligence on the part of the department in performing their duties by allowing such activities to continue unnoticed. Even with the NLTP Act in full enforcement, it has failed to be implemented in essence,” an update from DNSU media cell stated on Friday.

DNSU alleged that many illegal liquor outlets are fearlessly operating in every nook and corner, day and night, in the city. It stated that the union, as a responsible body, had on some occasions acted as a law enforcing agency and busted some illicit entrepreneurs and coaxed the law enforcement authorities to do the same.

“But these promising illicit entrepreneurs shows no sign of fright towards the toothless law which seldom bites and even if it did, it hardly left any scratches on their resilient toughened skins,” the statement read.

DNSU reaffirmed that change is inevitable and one must compromise for the greater good of the society and the future as it fears that the “impotent laws will only invite more evil than good, more death than lives, more criminals than law abiding citizens”. The union stated that it is disturbed by how, without any regulations, the illegal flow and sale of liquor is affecting the people including the younger generation and the student community who are under aged.

“Despite prohibition, the impact of liquor on our people is such that it has left many families broken, lives shortened, domestic violence increased, calibre of the youths damaged and also left many of our mothers confined in tears and dejection,” the statement read.

The union further warned all the illegal liquor sellers in the city that it would not remain silent and compromise with the illegal activities being carried out, while urging the concerned authority to work with more diligence and seriousness.