KOHIMA — Advisor of Central Administrative Works Department (CAWD) and Taxes, Küidecho Khamo, on Wednesday called upon the people to fight against alcoholism and drugs at all cost.
“Development is meaningless if its people are destroyed,” he said while addressing the 42nd general session of the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) in Chizami on the theme “Unity is strength.”
Talking on Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, he said that the Act was enacted by Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) under immense pressure from NBCC in particular due to the hazardous affect on health, money, life, broken families, creating widows and orphans, public nuisance and many more.
“It was most appropriate that this law was enforced in a state dominated by Christians,” he said adding that the prohibition of liquor in Nagaland suits a Christian state as “it is in the best interest of each Christian as for his/her spiritual and physical wellbeing.
“We cannot be inconsistent. Go to church and worship God and move out of the church to oppose God! Revenue now is a temptation to ruin human lives!” he said.
However, he stated that people are failing to implement the law effectively because they are yet to implement the Act effectively.
“It will surely be affective and successful if there is a will,” Khamo said.
Pointing out that there are certain civil society organisations (CSO) and individuals propagating for lifting the Act, he said the lobbyists’ strong point was that the NLTP Act has only caused revenue loss to the state’s exchequer.
“As for me, I will continue support the Act at all cost so also the Chakhesang tribe will never support lifting of the Act,” he said.
He reasoned that people cannot afford to have enhanced revenue at the cost of good human beings and added that God fearing man is better that anything else.
“We may enhance revenue but will get curse from God,” Khamo said.
He thanked Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, for understanding the reality and the sentiment of the right-thinking people including the churches and not lifting inspite of the pressures from certain CSO and individuals.
On economic front, Khamo called for venturing into “Each family, one project; Each family, one entrepreneur; and Each family, one prayer time.”
He stated that no one or no forces should be allowed to destroy the bond of unity among the Chakhesang community and maintained that everything is possible when people are united.
According to him, culture implies not only of the folk song, dances and dresses but also about one’s thinking and behaviours. He, therefore, advocated the need to restore the diminishing good traditional practices and values.
Khamo also called upon the people to uphold the spirit of honesty and hard work. Subscribing honesty as the best policy, he called upon the people to uphold honesty and practice at any cost.
Earlier, Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, also delivered short speech, while Neposo Thelüo, member of Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), was the guest speaker.
CPO president Veziihii Keyho delivered presidential address, while the president of Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), Kekhwengulo Lea, shared greetings and chairman of Chakhesang Scholars’ Forum (CSF), Dr. Zavise Rume, spoke on educational project.
CPO general secretary, Chepetso Koza, highlighted the activities of CPO for the current tenure and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by CPO treasurer, Rekha Rose Dukru.