[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is true that everyone Wants peace in the family, in society and with the neighbours but the inherent human ‘GREED’ and ‘DISOBEDIENCE’ inherited from the first man -’ADAM’ had brought hatred and destructions to the World. Of the many destructive elements ‘LIQUOR’ is one which human civilization had been fighting down the centuries but not succeeded. The same is now with Nagaland Total Prohibition for the last 25 years. The NLTP ACT ‘89 had done 3 good things: -
(1) There are no liquor shops displaying on the Counters to tempt youngsters,
(2) NLTP Act has created atleast fear psychosis on the drinkers that they do not drink openly in an unruly manner.
(3) It has reduced crimes and accidents considerably. Without the Act, night hours would be unsafe for women, Children, General Public & Business Community. The issue is spiritual, social & Upliftment of moral values. No amount of Government legislation is going to bring changes in our society; unless there is renewed mind and committed will among the General Public. There has to be a civic sense among all the people that drinking liquor is banned in all Public places. The business community should know that selling of liquor in Hotels, lounges & Shops is illegal in Nagaland as per NLTP Act.For Prohibition to be effective present attitude of our people should change.
1) Drinking liquor in official functions and public places is an offence as per NLTP Act 1989. Hence one and all should strictly adhere to the Act and no liquor should be allowed during any official functions of the state.
Sale of Liquor in hotels/restaurant/lounges is done under the guard and protection of Anti Social Elements. This practice should be checked vehemently by Police, Excise & Administration.
2) Church should uphold the NLTP ACT by cleansing each homes and Church through Crusades, Seminars, Awareness Camps and Personnel Counseling etc.
Leviticus 10:9 “Do not drink or intoxicating drink lest you die”. Nagas have been weakened by liquor & it has finally enslaved us.
Both Church and the Government should give opportunities to the Youths to divert their attention from drinking liquor in the form of Sports activities and Music activities. And the liquor sellers should be given alternative employment opportunities.
Proverbs 31: 4, 5 “It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drinks lest they drink and forget the law and prevent the justice”.
3) General Public remains silent spectator hoping others or Government, to do everything for them. Prohibition is a “People War” against social evil where every citizen has a part to play.
Unfortunately, We Nagas know how to give many suggestions to others but himself does nothing. Everyone should know that selling or buying or drinking liquor is an offence as per NLTP Act.
4) During the last 4 years i.e. 2010-14 a total of 6043 persons were booked under NLTP Act. However the liquor Smugglers still Continues to sale the illegal liquor in the lounges, hotels, etc. hence the Municipal Councils should be empowered to get cancelled all the trade license of those habitual offenders and their shops should be sealed by the administration & police.
Further the penalties for the habitual offenders should be more stringent & at least one year’s imprisonment should be awarded to the habitual offenders.
NGOS should file PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the rampant issue of whole sale license and retain liquor permits in the immediate border of Nagaland by Assam Excise Department.
Cherry wine stores, Golu wine stores and a total of 4 wine stores have closed down in Lahorijan, Assam due to complaints made through PIL.
5) Liquor has led to immorality, violence, insanity and considered one of the greatest killers of humanity. God is the creator and the lord of the church & government so every directive should be derived from the word of God.
Genesis 9:21 “Noah drank of the wine and was drunk & became uncovered”.
So, the case of Nagaland today. Liquor has destroyed our sense of understanding and has made us empty and uncovered. Liquor has led us to disputes, clash and crimes.
6) From 1989-2009 only 5400 persons were booked under NLTP Act. However during the last 4 years more than 6043 persons have been booked under the NLTP Act by the Excise Department.
And an award was received from the Election Commission of India in 2014 of good performance of the Excise Department in the Assembly Election of Nagaland in 2013. The performance of Excise Department have considerably enhanced during the last 4 years.
Since May 2012 the Govt of Nagaland has empowered all the O/c’s of the Police Stations to functions as Prohibition Officers. Therefore all the O/c’s should sincerely implement & enforce the NLTP Act.
Further all the interstate check gates are manned by Nagaland Police and the gate bars are controlled by them. Hence Nagaland Police should religiously check all the suspected lorries & vehicles carrying IMFL; be it govt. vehicle or private vehicles and enforce the NLTP Act.
7) For a long term comprehensive measure to implement liquor prohibition a new curriculum in the school text books on the evil effects of Alcohol & Drugs should be inculcated.
Since 80 % of the Naga population lives in the rural areas, all Village Councils and G8’s should be reminded to support the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act and the G8’s of all villages should keep the Excise & Police Personal informed for better enforcement of the NLTP Act.
8) The Excise Department with a meager force of 336 enforcement Personnel has booked more than 6040 persons under the NLTP Act during the last 4 years only. The Excise Department requires more forces and Motor Vehicles for all the 7 Excise Stations in Nagaland; so as to enforce the NLTP Act in letter and in spirit.
If prohibition is lifted, it will lead to more law and order problems in the state. There will certainly be more crimes committed in the form of murders, kidnappings, rape, theft, disputes etc. also the number of accidents through drunker) driving will increase tremendously. More people will be tempted to drink liquor and liquor abusers will increase. And the sale of liquor in the open market stores will adversely impact the students and youths which will negatively affect the academic career of the students. And the efficiency of workers in the offices, institutions & factories will decline which will adversely impact our economy.
(MAONG AIER, IAS)
Commissioner Excise & Director
Prohibition Nagaland, Dimapur.
