Principal Correspondent
Kohima, June 13
Parliamentary Secretary for Excise and PWD (Housing) T Torechu today asserted that the State Government is firm on implementation of the Nagaland Total Liquor Prohibition Act, 1989.
Torechu made the affirmation while addressing the inaugural function of one-day seminar on Liquor Prohibition organised by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Women Department Associations’ women presidents and secretaries at its Platinum Hall as the chief guest here.
The Parliamentary Secretary noted that the Act prohibits sale of liquor and issuance of license, but it does not stop individual from consuming liquor, as there is no such law within the Act.
He, therefore, called upon all stakeholders, churches and civil societies to join hands with the government in implementation of the Act.
He said the individual drinkers cannot be stopped by the government, but mothers and women have to take the social responsibility and play a greater role by trying to convince them to avoid liquor consumption.Admitting that there are loopholes in the implementation of the Act, he said the main problem of failure is in Dimapur and Kohima as liquor reaches to other parts of the State passing these two districts.
“Everybody should work together to enforce Prohibition Act, because there is no liquor production in the State but it is still available,” he said while stressing that all have to work together to strengthen the Act and make prohibition a success in the state.
He also expressed confidence that the seminar would come out with an action plan to bring changes in the Naga society.
Making the introductory note, NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung reiterated the stand of the church to continue liquor prohibition in the State. Expressing that NBCC is not the law enforcer or any authority to enforce the Act, he said “we are the moral conscious voice because we stand for those suffering”.
Meanwhile, the seminar resolved that the NBCC Women Department along with its affiliated women associations would uphold the Prohibition Act and also urge the State government to take corrective measures to check the loopholes.
The inaugural function chaired by NBCC Women Department secretary Rev. Narola was followed by seminars on topics “The role of Excise Department” and “The effects of Alcohol”.
