The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) opposes lifting the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP Act) 1989, emphasising that it hasn’t been fully implemented.
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The NLTP Act 1989 issue has become super contentious, with some even mocking God. Wine production and consumption is an age-old debate, spanning rituals, social gatherings, and economic discussions. The NLTP Act is not just a statute; it’s a moral declaration reflecting the Church’s stance that alcohol is a social evil destroying homes and families in Nagaland. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) opposes lifting the prohibition, emphasising it hasn’t been fully implemented, leading to a black-market economy, corruption, and moral dissonance.
Some of the key issues with implementation include:
(1) Lack of political will and a weak Excise department with inadequate personnel and technology.
(2) Police failure to secure interstate borders, allowing liquor smuggling.
(3) Loopholes in the Act, such as compounding offences, undermining its effectiveness.
The phrase “Total Prohibition” is misleading. Contrary to the nomenclature “Total Prohibition”, the NLTP Act has provisions for supervised relaxation, citing clauses 16 and 14, which allow liquor sales to foreign nationals and permits for medical purposes. This suggests the Act isn’t a complete prohibition, but rather regulated use; however, lack of enforcement and public education has led to misuse, black markets, and bootlegging. The issue isn’t the Act itself, but rather the lack of willpower to implement it effectively.
Knowing the loopholes in the Act, the lawmakers have already tested the Act two times: just before the G-20 delegates arrived in 2023, the Chief Minister proposed allowing liquor sales to foreign nationals in select hotels, citing clause 16 of the NLTP Act. The reason? The State was hosting international guests for the G-20 business meet. Then in 2024 December during the Hornbill Festival, the Nagaland government granted a special exemption allowing the sale and consumption of IMFL within the ambit of Kisama although it was only temporary and was done with intention to accommodate the tourists.
These two instances tell us; the Act isn’t Total Prohibition anymore. The Act has been relaxed two times temporary without taking the cognizance of the Prohibition Commission and Committee, which was set up in 1990. So now, whom do we blame? Will the public still blame the Church or should they blame the government for casually repealing and enacting whenever they feel it should be done.
If you’re to choose between two evils, choose none. The influx of spurious liquor is a genuine concern; however, liquor does not come to our State on its own, it is brought by the people of the State who are not ordinary people! On the issue of spurious liquor and branded one, we are only vying for a lesser evil. Why can’t the Government fight against both the evils instead of choosing the seemingly lesser evil? Lifting the Act is only going to open the floodgate of the inflow of liquor to the State. If there is so much of bootleggers in the State in spite of the Prohibition Act, lifting the Act is not going to be a better alternative. Good liquor and bad liquor have been a topic of debate but liquor is liquor and no kind of liquor promotes human health. Strategy for containing social evils is the key, not paving the way for the so called “better evil” (genuine liquor) to flow in. Non-spurious liquor cannot guarantee the longevity of liver and stoppage of bootlegging. Some are of the view that, NLTP Act has brought about drug addiction which is just a parallel evil both of which must be contained. An evil cannot do away with another evil; instead, they only complement each other. Genuine liquor in exchange for spurious liquor? Evil is evil and there’s no better evil.
From the perspective of the Church, the NLTP Act is more than just a law – it is a moral commitment between Nagaland’s people and God. Born from repentance, prayer, and spiritual revival, it serves as a guide for moral living. The Act reminds us that alcohol harms lives, families, and moral values, and its importance isn’t reduced by those who disobey it.
No law is perfectly obeyed, yet that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective or should be repealed. The NLTP Act, like other laws, serves to define right from wrong and restrain evil, even if some disobey it. Should we erase laws against stealing, murder, or adultery just because they’re broken? Of course, not - they remain to uphold moral standards.
In essence, the NLTP Act upholds truth and righteousness, reflecting God’s standards. It’s not just about enforcing obedience, but about promoting a moral order. As Apostle Paul wrote, “The law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).The NLTP Act similarly remains crucial, reminding us of the harm caused by alcohol. Its presence guides society, even if imperfectly followed. Removing laws that people break would lead to moral chaos, not progress.
The NBCC is persuaded that the NLTP Act needs a relook. However, the act of repealing and retaining the NLTP Act does not affect the ministry of the Church. The church has been and will continue to do the ministry towards alcoholics and wine sellers. We will continue to say what was bad 35 years ago is still bad for our society today. Having said that, the NBCC is willing to collaborate with the Government and the NGOs to strengthen the implementation but won’t support lifting the prohibition. The Church will take a further step and will continue to do the prophetic voice despite opposition.
Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener
General Secretary
NBCC
Dr. Villo Naleo
Secy, Social Concern
NBCC