Mokokchung seeks total liquor ban

 ‘Free flow of liquor is seriously jeopardising the future of the younger generation’

Dimapur, Nov. 6 (EMN): A memorandum demanding the enforcement of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act 1989 (NLTP Act) in Mokokchung district has been forwarded to the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, citing “total failure” of the Act and "mushrooming of bootleggers" in a massive scale due to the failure of the law enforcing agencies in stopping the sale and consumption of liquor. The memorandum, a copy of which has been sent to this newspaper, was submitted by the Ao Baptist Arogo Mundang (ABAM), Ao Senden, Watsu Mundang, Ao Kaketshir Mundang (AKM), Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mundang (OKM), Artang Baptist Church, Artang Ward Yimden and Ashiponger Foundation. "The 'free flow' of liquor is seriously jeopardising the future of the younger generation and disrupting the peace and tranquillity in the district," read the statement. It stated that "locally produced beverages with high alcohol content" are being sold in the market with complete disregard to law enforcing agencies. Citing these reasons, the organisations have urged the authorities to conduct a raid on the shops and private residences selling liquor along National Highway-02. In the past, the liquor barons were unaffected during such raids, with only the salesman of the shops or hotels being caught and punished, they reminded. They have demanded stringent action against the "real culprits behind the illegal operation" according to the laws of the act. They have demanded the trade licenses of shops selling locally produced homemade wine with alcohol content to be cancelled. Furthermore, they have urged the excise and police department in all the inter-state and inter-district check gates to conduct stringent checking. The memorandum demanded that law enforcing personnel, who are found to "allow vehicles carrying illegal liquor to pass through gates", be suspended from service. It also stated that raids should be "conducted in all the illegal liquor distillations units operating in Mokokchung district, their units confiscated and culprits booked." The organisations have asked the district administration to take cognizance of the illegal activities operating in Mokokchung district and enforce measures within seven days from the date of issuing the memorandum (November 6).