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DIMAPUR — The Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs) have expressed deep concern and opposition to the Nagaland government's proposal to partially lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989 in the state.
“The Konyak CSO, representing the collective voice of the Konyak people, wishes to remind the public and the state authorities that it was the Konyak CSO that first initiated the call for total prohibition of alcohol within its jurisdiction, a movement that eventually led to the enactment of the NLTP Act 1989, making Nagaland a dry state,” stated a joint statement signed by the presidents of the Konyak Union (KU), the Konyak Students' Union (KSU), and the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK).
Before the NLTP Act was implemented, the Konyak society had witnessed firsthand devastating effects of unrestricted alcohol availability, it said, adding that with a clear and unwavering vision, the Konyak CSOs led a courageous fight to curb the rampant alcoholism that was taking a toll on society.
Reminding the government of the past experiences and the “severe impact that alcohol has had on the community," the Konyak CSOs categorically rejected any proposal for even a partial lifting of the NLTP Act within the Konyak jurisdiction.
“Our society cannot afford to be used as an experimental ground for policies that may reintroduce the very challenges we fought so hard to overcome. The Konyak people are not yet ready to face the potential consequences of a free flow of alcohol within our communities,” read the statement.
Stating that time and careful consideration are vital for any significant changes to be accepted by society, especially when those changes may have profound and lasting impacts, it said the Konyak CSOs are not against progress or development; however, they insist that any such changes must be made when the people and the environment are truly ready to embrace them.
“Until that time comes, we stand firm in our commitment to protecting our society from the dangers of alcohol. The Konyak jurisdiction should be left under the full effect of the NLTP Act 1989, and we call on the Nagaland State Government to respect our stance and the will of our people,” it concluded.
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