NBCC questions government's liquor policy

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has taken umbrage to what it termed the state government’s alleged circumvention of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTPA) to permit the flow of liquor during the Hornbill Festival.

In a press statement, NBCC General Secretary, Dr. Zelhou Keyho, claimed that the government extracted the provision from NLTPA for the alcoholics under medical supervision, to be used for medical purposes, from the provision for the military and paramilitary in their barracks and the limited provision for hoteliers.

“These provisions and the issuance of permits are stated in the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1989 through proper channels. We will not deny the fact that the NLTPA has not been successfully implemented. There is a random flow of liquor despite the voice of the church. There has been blame and counter-blame over the issue. Over the years there has been a tug-of-war between the government and the church in the state,” the statement read.

Arguing that tourists might not be visiting the state because there is a provision for visitors to drink liquor in Nagaland, the council contended that “they are here because they want to experience our culture and our heritage and our tribal way of life.”