WSBAK urges govt. to enforce NLTP Act with stricter laws

DIMAPUR — The Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) has urged the state government to promptly implement the NLTP Act with stricter laws and system to curb the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state.

In a press release, the WSBAK contended that alcohol is a disease which not only affects a person’s physical health but also affects and destroys the many different spheres of human life and society.

The church body said some Naga ‘intellectuals’ and ‘political’ leaders have suggested that the NLTP Act should be ‘partially’ or ‘totally’ lifted in the state mainly because, the act, instead of controlling the influx of alcohol is making way for adulterated alcohol and bootlegging to flourish in the state.

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While some others claim that lifting the ban will enable the state government to check the quality of alcohol and help the state government to bolster its revenue.

“However, all these claims and suggestions seem a far cry from the truth and reality. Availability of alcohol whether it is ‘adulterated’ or ‘pure’ eventually is going to destroy a person’s life in one or the other way at some point of time,” it maintained.

It also pointed out to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) research conclusion that “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”

“If that is the case, then is our state government, a government that is supposed to take care of the well being of its citizens, willing to exchange a few crores of revenue at the cost of many precious lives and souls?” WSBAK questioned.

Additionally, it reminded that the Indian Constitution states, “The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.”

Accordingly, the WSBAK insisted that the priority of the state government is “to look after the well being of its people” rather than “taking care of the selfish interest of few groups of people.”