NLTP Act, 1989, is for defence of Naga Nation from self-destruction
Tsiiknung Penzii, Ex-Minister, (Nagaland), Dimapur
Continued from previous issue part 2 of 3
9. Subsequent celebration of two important national days:
Celebrations of Republic Day and Independent Day annually on the January 26th and August 15th respectively, were days of free wine supply to delegates and cultural troupes from rural villages. It became a routine item of the day’s programme. Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow became the wine centre in each district. Cultural dances enlivened by wine was the dominating feature of national days’ observation programme.
The days’ closing programme in DC’s compound was exhilarating time for officers and VIPs and special invitees from public figures where superior wines of noted brands were served. Scotch Whisky (which may be now nearly Rs. 3,000/- per bottle) was favourite brand for lady-wives who accompanied their husbands, because of the brand’s softness with swe’etness. Old Monk was also another costly brand for high level persons in the party.
This reign of wine in higher strata of the society and domination by wine in lower strata continued for 26 years (1963 -1989) till NLTP Act came into effect from 1989. The same national day entertainment continues still today, but open wine circulation is stopped in such honourable gatherings.10. Wine flows beneath the traditional festivals:
Each of the 16 Naga tribes has at least two traditional festivals, one major and one secondary, per year. State government is granting restricted holidays on these two days to the Govt. service personnel, incorporating the said holidays in State’s calendar. Each tribe’s festival days are on different dates from one another. That is, government grands extra (16 x 2) 32 days’ holidays, (I month -2 days) in total per year.
Tribal traditional festivals are associated with cultural or folk dances, as main feature, besides merrymaking. Before coming of Christianity in later 19th century, festivals were holding for 6 days. After becoming Christians it is observing only one day in each tribe as token of commemoration of each tribe’s own cultural heritage.
Unfortunately, in modern times, traditional festivals become associated with wine drinking among the Nagas. Just nominally, and normally, a festival service or meeting is held, with a Chief Guest visitor, usually an acquainted Minister or MLA, with certain amount of donation and a short speech. The service is followed by ‘common lunch’ for all audience.
After lunch comes dancing of folk dances throughout the remaining time of the day, dominated by wine drinking of elders, public members. Of course, in some cases, non- drinking refined students use to dance with refinement in uniform costume or dress. But behind the screen wine-drinking in large’scale become the dark side of the day.
What the Church say on wine-polluted festival? The Church do not object to celebration with services and folk dances. They know the secret wine drinking in garb of festival. But, as they cannot act as excise police or Assam Rifles personnel checking the packages inside rooms, they simply give sermons from Church platforms, like boxing in the air, where wine drinkers are absent.
II. Let us choose liberty. not slavery:
By sending a wrong signal to the people by the State Government, say that the NLTP Act is to be ‘reviewed’, Nagas are today, unexpectedly standing on a cross-road to choose one, between liberty and slavery. Revoking the NLTP means we are choosing slavery (under wine). Upholding the NLTP we are choosing liberty, to be free man, as we are born free.
There are criss-crossing of accusation of each other among Nagas, accusing State Government, Excise Deptt., Churchmen, Politicians, Businessmen and each other of public members. But nobody blames black marketers and smugglers of wine cases. Somebody laments and mourns for the loss of revenue of Govt. by not taking tax from wine due to NLTP. For such people, their lamentations and mournings will be much greater when their dear ones die due to wine drinking.
The will of the Naga people will surely make the NLTP successful. It is not to fight a foreign war with army and weapons, but to maintain NLTP we Nagas need to chose liberty with understanding and ‘will power’ to be free from slavery of wine, not making slaves by ourself.
At one point of time Israel leader Joshua told his people whether to choose the foreign gods or to choose the Lord God Jehovah. And they said to him that they will choose the Lord God, serve and obey Him. (Joshua 24 : 15-24)
