Consultations gain momentum in Dimapur over lifting NLTP Act

DIMAPUR — The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and civil society organisations based in Dimapur held a joint consultation on Monday with presidents of all tribal hohos to discuss the proposed lifting of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.

The closed-door meeting, held at Hotel Saramati, lasted for more than three hours.

Briefing the media after the consultation, DUCCF vice president Tongzuk Pongen said that out of 20 Dimapur-based tribal hohos, five were unable to attend but added that their views are expected to be positive. He said similar consultations will continue in the coming days.

Zasivikho Zakiesato, convenor of the consultative committee, said that another meeting with the tribal hohos will be held in January 2026, adding that Monday’s meeting was only an initial consultation.

Also read: Naga Council Dimapur, East Dimapur CSOs unite to demand repeal of NLTP Act

Their roadmap, he said, is centred on continued dialogue to ensure that Dimapur’s collective voice on the NLTP Act is fully and accurately represented.

Zakiesato said further deliberation with civil society groups is necessary and maintained that 36 years of prohibition have caused “more harm than good.” While acknowledging that ‘Nagas are Christians,’ he said the ground reality in Dimapur is that prohibition has been ineffective, especially because the district borders Assam, where alcohol is easily available.

He also cited the example of the United States, which lifted its 14-year liquor prohibition after facing similar challenges. The reference, he said, was included in a representation submitted to the state government in 2023.

Zakiesato clarified that the demand is not for liquor outlets to open indiscriminately or immediately, but that any decision should follow thorough consultation and careful consideration. He stressed that the groups are not opposed to the Church or any organisation, but that Dimapur’s social and moral realities are “evident to all,” and civil society leaders have a responsibility to address them.

He informed that a consultative meeting with all villages under Dimapur district will be held on November 26, followed by another consultation with the Dimapur Bar Association on November 28. The outcomes will be incorporated into the broader roadmap.

On the level of support received from the hohos present, Zakiesato said about half expressed full support for lifting the Act, while the others asked for more time for internal discussions. He added that Monday’s meeting was not primarily to seek endorsements but to update the hohos on the issues they have been raising since 2023.

Asked about the NBCC’s November 18 statement opposing the lifting of the NLTP Act, he said they respect the NBCC’s position and are not against the churches. However, he said that despite strong enforcement and consistent pressure from church bodies over 36 years, “the situation on the ground has been different.”

He said their present focus is on Dimapur district, given its proximity to Assam, and reiterated that CSO leaders have a moral responsibility to address the issue. He also said they may engage with church leadership at a later stage for further dialogue.

NCD president GK Rengma said a series of consultation meetings with Dimapur-based tribal hohos and organisations is already underway. Although five hohos could not attend Monday’s meeting, he said they have conveyed positive responses.

Rengma said their stand on lifting the NLTP Act is not for the benefit of NCD or any particular organisation but stems from the district’s realities that many acknowledge but few raise publicly. He said the NCD has taken the initiative to facilitate consultations toward meaningful change.

He pointed out that although Nagaland is a dry state, illegal liquor outlets and bootlegging continue openly across colonies and restaurants in Dimapur, undermining the purpose of the Act. He appealed to the people of Dimapur and all organisations to cooperate and work collectively toward positive change in the district.