Zeluosielie Kehie
Sovima village, Chümoukedima
The Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, has remained a subject of continuous debate. While some argue that lifting the ban could boost state revenue and improve regulation, others fear and believe that it would compromise our Nagaland State’s Christian values, cultural integrity, and community unity. A balanced approach may lie between outright prohibition and unregulated availability.
1. Regulation instead of Prohibition: Legalizing and regulating alcohol sales could help monitor quality, reduce health risks, and generate revenue which could be reinvested in social welfare programmes for the state. This approach would also enable the government to impose strict quality control measures and prevent the sale of spurious liquor.
2. Partial Prohibition: Allowing regulated sales in certain/select areas/zones or under specific conditions could help minimize the black market and associated problems.
3. Public Health and Awareness Campaigns: Implementing public health campaigns in collaboration with churches, community organizations, and educational institutions on dangers of excessive consumption of drinking on health, family well-being, addiction risks.
4. Addressing Corruption and Enforcement: Introduce and strengthening accountability mechanism for law enforcement agencies focusing on curbing illicit alcohol trade networks rather than penalizing individual consumers.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Revisiting and recognizing the cultural significance of traditional beverages, frame policies that distinguish between traditional practices and commercial alcohol trade and respect community values while addressing health concerns.
6. Support for Vulnerable Groups: Establish rehabilitation centers and counseling programmes for alcohol-dependent individuals, and groups vulnerable to alcohol abuse could help mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol consumption.
Modification of the NLTP Act, 1989 require careful consideration of the complex issues. It must balance public health, Christian and cultural values, economic realities, and community welfare. A policy of combining regulation, awareness, cultural sensitivity, and social support, offer a core path that addresses moral concerns and practical challenges facing our State.
