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Dimapur, March 4 (EMN): The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) on Wednesday expressed its concerns over the failure of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989 and appealed to the state government to review it at the earliest. It also called for a wider debate and consultation with the church and the stakeholders on the issue.
The statement from the association came in the wake of crackdown on the sale of liquor in Dimapur and Kohima by the Excise department and civil society organisations.
“The rampant availability of spurious liquor which has led to hundreds of our loved ones dying is a major health concern and the shocking media disclosure of alcohol syndicates, manufactured spurious liquor, thriving business ongoing in nexus with all kinds of networks, including state agencies, is a wakeup call for the state Government and for all of its citizens,” the statement read.
While reminding that certain laws like the NLTP Act were enacted at certain stages of Naga history, it said the loopholes in the Act have encouraged defaulters to go scot-free or with light punitive measures. “And looking into the grim reality today, reviewing the existing Act should be the first priority of the state government,” it added.
Stating that the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC), which moved for the said Act, was left out of the past consultative meetings, the association has suggested the state government to invite the council and all stakeholders.
The NMA went on to say that mothers in villages and towns still advocate liquor prohibition “because they live the reality of alcoholic violence, domestic abuse, poverty due to hard earned money spent on drinking”. It further said that it is “aware of the rising cases of alcoholism among women, young boys and girls including school children”.