More than two months after an insurgency group warned the owners of hotels and lodges in Dimapur not to allow the entry of underage girls, including students in school uniforms, claiming that minors have been caught red-handed with “older men” in such inns, another group has made a startling revelation about minor boys and girls (below 18 years of age) being exploited in nightclubs, bars and lounges operating in the city on the pretext of providing employment. It also warned nightclubs, bars and restaurants that sell alcohol of severe consequences if found employing or allowing the entry of underage boys and girls. Irrespective of the source, the claims of minors thronging such joints are disturbing. Ironically, Nagaland is officially a “dry” state, with the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989 prohibiting the production, possession, sale, consumption, and import and export of liquor. Whether or not the state is “dry”, such trend is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed. While easy availability of alcohol in the state, albeit at a higher rate, is an open secret, making the Act a mockery, allegations of punishable acts being allowed to operate under the nose of the concerned authorities, that too in a small city (read town) like Dimapur, is disquieting. However, the matter is much more complicated than it looks from the outset.
The much-debated NLTP Act is in coma, with most religious organisations still firm on not lifting it, while many civil organisations have come out in the open to revoke it either in full or partially, and the state government continuing to take the middle path to avoid a possible backlash from churches, the reason for loud proclamations of outspoken legislators and officials sinking to a whisper. With the controversial Act still in place while the state authorities are turning a blind eye to the sale of alcohol other than Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), that too lukewarm, the law enforcement agencies seem to be in a dilemma – either to order the closure of joints that sell alcohol or to take action specifically in connection with the involvement of minors, including their employment and access. This loophole has given way to illegal practices, including bootlegging and exploitation of minors. For instance, the legal drinking age in most Indian states is between 21 and 25 years, but there is no such restriction in Nagaland, thanks to the “dry state” tag while alcohol is easily available. This smacks of hypocrisy, which is serving no good to anybody, especially the younger generation. The way forward is either revoke the NLTP Act or strictly enforce it; no in between.