Rev Dr Mar Pongener, General Secretary and Dr Villo Naleo, Secretary, Social Concerns
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC)
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) reaffirms its longstanding moral conviction concerning the protection of individuals, families and communities from the destructive consequences of alcohol abuse and its commitment to the spirit and purpose of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 (NLTP Act).
The NLTP Act was not born out of a desire to control people’s personal lives, nor merely as a matter of taxation or regulation. It emerged from a deep social and moral concern about the impact of alcohol on families, communities and the wellbeing of society. For the Church, therefore, the question of prohibition cannot be reduced to a question of government revenue or commercial opportunity. It concerns human dignity, family welfare, public health, social responsibility and the protection of the vulnerable.
NBCC acknowledges that the existence of an illegal liquor market presents a serious challenge. The continuing seizure of illicit liquor, concerns over spurious alcohol and the difficulties faced by enforcement agencies demonstrate that the implementation of prohibition requires serious attention. The Government itself has acknowledged that the NLTP Act has faced significant enforcement challenges and unintended consequences. However, the existence of violations does not by itself prove that the underlying principle of the law is wrong.
A prohibition law cannot be fairly evaluated simply by asking whether illegal liquor exists. The more fundamental questions are:
What social harm would result if alcohol were freely available? What protection does prohibition provide to families and vulnerable persons? What responsibilities do citizens, communities and institutions have in making the law effective? And where implementation is failing, what must be corrected? The answer to these questions requires evidence, public dialogue and responsible governance-not the assumption that repeal is the only possible response to enforcement difficulties.
The NBCC recognizes the reality of alcohol dependence and the suffering experienced by individuals and families. The Church has consistently sought to respond through awareness, counselling, rehabilitation, prayer, pastoral care and community intervention.
Our concern is not to stigmatize those struggling with alcohol dependence. On the contrary, the Church’s responsibility is to stand alongside those affected and to seek their restoration and dignity. The Christian understanding of freedom cannot be reduced to the freedom to consume whatever one chooses. Christian freedom is also freedom from bondage, addiction, exploitation and the destruction of relationships. The Church therefore remains committed to the biblical values of temperance, self-control, responsibility and care for one’s neighbor.
The black market must not become an argument for abandoning the law. NBCC is deeply concerned by reports and continuing evidence of illicit liquor networks operating despite prohibition. Such activity must be addressed through stronger enforcement, transparency and accountability. If illegal markets have emerged around prohibited liquor, those who profit from such markets must not be allowed to turn the failure of enforcement into an argument for normalizing the very activity the law seeks to prevent.
The appropriate response to corruption is not to legalize corruption. The appropriate response to criminal networks is not to surrender public policy to criminal networks. The appropriate response is effective enforcement, institutional accountability, community cooperation and, where necessary, reform of enforcement mechanisms. At the same time, NBCC emphasizes that allegations of organized syndicates, corruption or illicit financial arrangements must be investigated and established through credible evidence. Public discourse on the NLTP Act must not become a vehicle for unsubstantiated accusations against individuals or institutions.
The Excise Department has itself stated that its principal role has shifted from revenue collection and regulation to enforcement of the NLTP Act and related laws. But enforcement cannot be left to one department alone. The successful implementation of prohibition requires the cooperation of: Government and law-enforcement agencies, religious institutions, village and community organizations like; Women, Youth and Students. The Families and parents, Medical and mental-health professionals, Civil society organizations; and Citizens themselves need to openly support the enforcement.
In the wake of several deaths in Tuensang and Mokokchung districts, the Excise and the Police department has been awakened to their heels to check and stop illegal liquor sales. We appreciate the initiative taken by Student union, Deputy Commissioners and Police Officers who have come forward for stricter implementation. The recent destruction of seized liquor in Zunheboto, for example, was accompanied by an official call for a collective approach involving civil society, community leaders and the public. This is the kind of shared responsibility that the present situation demands.
A law needs implementation, not merely legislation. NBCC does not claim that the NLTP Act is perfect or that every aspect of its implementation has been successful. On the contrary, the Church believes that laws must continually be examined in the light of their social consequences.
But review should not automatically mean repeal. The appropriate course is to strengthen what protects society, correct what is ineffective, close loopholes, address corruption, improve enforcement, expand rehabilitation and ensure that the law serves its intended public purpose.
The Government’s current consideration of the NLTP question should therefore be accompanied by transparent consultation and reliable evidence concerning public health, alcohol-related harm, illegal markets, enforcement outcomes, family welfare and the experiences of affected communities. The Government has indicated that it is examining the matter while considering public opinion, enforcement challenges and broader social implications.
The Church cannot abandon its moral responsibility merely because the implementation of a law is difficult. The moral conviction that gave birth to prohibition remains relevant: a society has a legitimate responsibility to protect its people from destructive patterns of alcohol abuse and their consequences. At the same time, genuine moral courage requires honest examination of reality.
Therefore, the NBCC calls for neither complacency nor ideological confrontation. We call for truthful assessment, responsible enforcement, institutional integrity, compassionate rehabilitation and evidence-based public policy. The question before Nagaland is not simply whether liquor can be made available or prohibited. The deeper question is: What kind of society do we want to build, and what policies will best protect human life, family, community and the dignity of every person?
The Church remains committed to walking with the people of Nagaland in addressing alcohol abuse, supporting persons and families affected by addiction, confronting illicit and harmful practices, and advocating for policies that promote the common good. The NLTP Act should therefore be understood not merely as a prohibition statute, but as an expression of a social responsibility to protect life and community. The Church must be faithful to the moral conviction that gave birth to prohibition, while also possessing the courage to examine, strengthen and improve the instrument through which that conviction is expressed.
