Open letter to Chief Minister and the Cabinet Ministers of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Government of Nagaland
Dimapur Area Baptist Churches
While the Church acknowledges the gravity of the present alcohol-related crisis in Nagaland, including its devastating socio-economic and public health consequences, the Church and its believers, as a concerned citizens firmly and unequivocally states that these realities do not justify the lifting of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
The Church observes with deep concern that the present crisis has arisen from the consistent failure of implementation of the Act. The breakdown is rooted in weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of political will, systemic corruption from top to bottom, and entrenched syndicate networks operating within some Naga national groups and their personnels. These are indicators of poor governance and moral collapse, not evidence that the NLTP Act is inherently flawed.
Therefore, the Church cannot accept the argument that ethical and moral values should be compromised to compensate for technical mismanagement and governmental irresponsibility. The governmental failure must never be cured by moral retreat.
In keeping with its God-given mandate to uphold righteousness, social responsibility, and the holistic well-being of the people, the Church prayerfully but firmly proposes the following measures toward realizing the true intent and spirit of the NLTP Act:
1. Constitute State Prohibitory Council and District Prohibitory Committee:
NLTP Act Chapter III, Rule no. 25, 26, 27 provide for the appointment of Director of Prohibition, Prohibition Officers, and Prohibition Council and Committee. However, this Prohibitory Council and District Committee were never constituted.
2. Dismantle Syndicate and Covert Networks:
The legalization of licensed wine or liquor stores will neither dismantle nor weaken existing liquor syndicates. Instead, it will legitimize and embolden them. The Government must therefore take decisive and uncompromising action to identify, dismantle, and eliminate all secretive and syndicate-controlled liquor networks covertly operating under Naga national groups within the State.
3. Empower Enforcement Authorities-Nagaland Excise Department:
Prohibition and enforcement authorities must be vested with clear, adequate, and enforceable seizure powers so that the law may be implemented without fear, favour, or interference.
4. Provide Sufficient Resources:
The Government must provide sufficient manpower, logistical support, and adequate budgetary allocation to enable effective and sustained enforcement of the NLTP Act.
5. Accountability and Stringent Punishment:
Strict, impartial, and exemplary punishment must be imposed not only on defaulters, but also on corrupt officials whose actions betray public trust and erode the moral fabric of society.
6. Strengthen the NLTP ACT by Removing Legal Loopholes:
Rule No. 16 of the NLTP Act must be removed in its entirety to eliminate ambiguity and close legal loopholes that weaken the law and undermine its intent.
In light of these realities, the Church firmly affirms that the people of Nagaland do not need ‘legalized, quality and better liquor,’ regulated wine stores, or policy compromises that normalize addiction.
What our society urgently needs is immediate and serious implementation of the NLTP Act, stronger moral leadership, transparent and accountable governance, and deep spiritual renewal. The Church, as the moral guardian of Naga society, with farsighted vision to save body, soul, and spirit, will never retreat from its divine calling.
The Church therefore calls upon the Government of Nagaland not to consider lifting the NLTP Act through a dangerous compromise under the pretext of revenue generation, socio-economic and health concerns, but to rise to the far more demanding and courageous task of reforming, strengthening, and faithfully implementing what has failed. History will judge not how conveniently we governed, but how faithfully we guarded the moral soul of our people.
Therefore, in accordance with the NLTP Act Chapter 2, rule 3, the whole of Naga inhabited area must remain Dry State. It is our prayers to the Government of Nagaland for stringent and faithful implementation of the Act.
If the Government that is responsible to protect public health and hear the cry of the people fails in its duty, the Church will not remain silent.
The Church stands ready to partner with the Government and civil societies—not in surrender of moral responsibility, but in prayerful solidarity and prophetic commitment toward restoration, reform, and renewal of our land.
Sd/-
1. Rev. Jongpong Imsong President, Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Arogo Pastors’ Fellowship (DAABAPF)
2. Rev Dr Yanbemo Pastor Dimapur Lotha Baptist Church
3. Dr Elito G Zhimo Counsellor, Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church
4. Rev. MTonglong Pastor Konyak Baptist Bumeinok, Dimapur On behalf of ENPO Churches
5. Kuhusheyi Chotso Western Chakhesang Baptist Church Council Chairman
6. Chuwarie Nyuwi Pastor Pochury Baptist Church Dimapur
