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DIMAPUR — The Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship (KBPF) has opposed the Cabinet's decision to revisit the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989, with the possibility of partially lifting the Act, calling it an “outright violation of God's precepts”.
KBPF, in a press release, described the decision as "not only unwise but irresponsible" and a "dangerous step backward".
Stating that the NLTP Act has long served as a safeguard against the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, it said that as pastors, they encounter and deal with a variety of problems, most of which are alcohol-related.
It mentioned that, as per the record, the law was brought into force in 1989 as the result of the fervent prayers of believers, as well as much pain and struggle by way of staging mass protests, public rallies, and even fast unto death, spearheaded by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Naga Mothers' Association (NMA) and other civil societies.
On the argument that the prohibition will boost the state's economy through increased sales and tax revenues, it claimed that this short-term gain will be offset by costly long-term social, physical, psychological, spiritual, and economic deterioration of families.
“Can the state afford to pay this price by playing with the lives of its citizens?” it asked, reiterating that the KBPF cannot allow the interests of a few to outweigh the welfare and safety of families and people.
Maintaining that the Act itself has not failed but people have collectively failed, it said this is not the time to talk about lifting or relaxing the Act, but rather to strengthen it through proper implementation.
The KBPF urged the government of the day to strictly implement the Act through proper consultation over the rhetoric of revenue, citing that if, even after three decades, it cannot be implemented, relaxing will be disastrous.
“The KBPF stands firm in its position with the NBCC in regard to the proposed partial lifting of this Act and will continue to advocate for policies that promote the welfare and safety of our citizens,” it read.
It also called upon every believer, irrespective of denomination, and all responsible citizens to prayerfully take the same stand.
Further, stating that in the context of Nagaland, the voice of the church is the majority, it expressed hope that the government would listen to the voice of the people.
Also read: No partial lifting of NLTP Act in Konyak jurisdiction, say CSO