WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025
Nagaland's Liquor Dilemma
Published on Dec 11, 2024
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- The contentious Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989, which prohibits the production, possession, sale, consumption, and import and export of liquor in the state, has caught the attention of many, especially church leaders, after the government of Nagaland announced the relaxation of the Act during the 10-day Hornbill Festival for tourists attending the event. Many seem to be perturbed by the state government’s one-time move, fearing that the Act would be eventually revoked. On the other hand, the state government is aware of the fact that the controversial Act could stand in the way of its effort to boost tourism, especially during the Hornbill Festival, which has been witnessing a significant footfall of tourists over the years. As per the update from the department of Tourism, as many as 58,746 tourists, including 2,527 foreign and 56, 219 domestic tourists, attended the just concluded 25th edition of the festival. While some can take this as a case in point for the temporary lifting of the ban, others may take the government’s move as a travesty of the purpose of the Act. But this heated debate, allegations and counter allegations too will pass, as seen on several occasions in the past. Albeit occasional seizures by the law enforcement agencies, liquor will continue to flow into the state irrespective of whether or not the Act is relaxed, making it less dry.
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- Interestingly, this contentious Act comes alive and triggers debate only when someone stirs the hornet’s nest—mostly lawmakers. All hell broke loose earlier this year when the government mooted the idea of partially lifting the ban, and then during this year’s Hornbill Festival. Had the concerned authority not issued a notification about the one-time relaxation of the prohibition days ahead of the festival, it might not receive much traction. After all, alcohol, especially rice beer, has been synonymous with the festival. The point is, reacting only when the government makes the slightest move won’t change the ground reality. It’s time the stakeholders go beyond paper wars and seriously chalk out a feasible solution, because the consequences of living in denial can be costly. We can’t deny the fact that alcohol can break families besides affecting health and economic impact. The circumstances and situation that necessitated the enactment of the NLTP Act about 35 years ago also can’t be ignored. In the same vein, we can’t turn a blind eye to the free flow of alcohol, which is driven by demand. Alcohol may or may not be available at the Hornbill Festival venue in Kisama now that the event has come to a close, but it will be available outside of it throughout the year. With the NLTP Act in place, there is no legal drinking age in the state, while alcohol is easily available. Then there is fruit beer, brewed by fermenting fruits like strawberries, plums, raspberries, cherries, etc., which are openly sold in the market. But these beverages have much more alcoholic content than rice beer and several other banned brands. This reality calls for the need to deliberate the issue with an open mind.
Nagaland Districts
