Dimapur citizens’ forum urges lifting Nagaland liquor prohibition, citing failed enforcement, black markets, issues, and regulated sales benefits.
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DIMAPUR — The Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) came out in support of lifting the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 in Dimapur district, arguing that the law has failed to curb alcohol consumption and has instead fuelled an unregulated black market.
In a statement issued on Monday, the forum, which said it represents both Naga and non-Naga communities in the district, maintained that 36 years after its enforcement, the prohibition regime has not met its stated objectives. The DDCF said illegal liquor trade has thrived under the Act, giving rise to syndicates and criminal networks.
“These illegal networks thrive on corruption, endanger public safety, and operate beyond the reach of law, while ordinary citizens continue to suffer the consequences,” it stated.
Describing Dimapur as the commercial and economic hub of Nagaland, the forum said the district bears the “maximum brunt” of the policy, with illicit liquor openly available and quality and safety compromised. It also pointed to law-and-order concerns and said the burden of enforcement has fallen unfairly on local communities and colony leaders.
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The DDCF said regulation would be more effective than prohibition, allowing the government to introduce quality control, curb criminal activity, generate revenue and strengthen law enforcement. It added that revenue from regulated liquor sales could be channelled into public welfare, healthcare, education, youth development, and de-addiction and awareness programmes.
Clarifying its position, the forum said supporting the lifting of prohibition did not amount to promoting alcoholism or social evils. Instead, it argued that regulation would allow for responsible consumption, age restrictions, controlled sale and stricter penalties for violations, which it said were not achievable under the current regime.
The forum appealed to the state government to acknowledge ground realities in Dimapur and take what it described as a “pragmatic and people-centric” decision by lifting the NLTP Act in the district. It also expressed willingness to work with the government, civil society groups and other stakeholders to ensure a responsible transition if prohibition is lifted.