Dimapur, March 22 (MExN): The Dimapur Area Baptist Churches have urged the Nagaland Government to strictly enforce the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, while opposing any move to lift or dilute the law.
In an open letter to the Chief Minister and Cabinet, the Churches stated that the prevailing alcohol-related crisis in the State is a result of weak enforcement, lack of political will, and systemic corruption, not a failure of the Act itself.
Calling attempts to relax the law a “moral compromise,” the Churches asserted that governance failures must not be addressed by weakening prohibition. Instead, they called for firm corrective steps, including constituting mandated prohibitory bodies, dismantling illegal liquor syndicates, empowering enforcement agencies, and ensuring accountability of officials.
They also urged the government to plug legal loopholes and provide adequate resources for effective implementation.
Reiterating that Nagaland must remain a dry state, the Churches maintained that the solution lies in strengthening enforcement, not legalising or regulating liquor.
The Churches further expressed readiness to partner with the government and civil society, while cautioning that they would continue to raise their voice if the issue remains unaddressed.
