DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Baptist Pastor Union (NBPU) has iterated that it stands firm on strict enforcement of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
In a press release, the NBPU said that the act was sealed after a prolonged series of rallies and demands carried out by the Church and civil society organisations, whereby the people of Nagaland from all walks of life made covenant with God by declaring Nagaland as ‘dry state.’
“NLTP Act has failed on the ground on many counts. This does not mean that public should blame any specific stake holder in relation to the act. The Church and government should not pelt stones at each other, if at all, on the issue.
“While it is a failure on the part of the law enforcing agencies of the government, it is the failure of the Church and civil society on their share of responsibilities within their operational domains. However, it should never be Church versus government but government and Church/civil society versus liquor,” the union said.
The union went on to state that if the NLTP Act is lifted even partially, Nagaland will be open to a flood of unmanageable social ills.
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“Liquor nuisance in Nagaland will be manifested in the streets, homes, social circles, gatherings, etc, as a daily occurrence. Even if thousands of crore revenue is generated from the sale of liquor in the state (after lifting NLTP Act), it will not be able to compensate the ill effects of liquor,” it stated.
Maintaining that the Church, civil society and government should work in coordination to uphold Nagaland as ‘dry state,’ the NBPU was of the view that the actual onus of keeping the act alive lies with the government, while the Church, NGOs and civil society can act as pressure groups and also look into possible interventions.
Further, the union said that given the ground reality of NLTP Act, it is high time that the government strictly enforce the NLTP Act to which a coordinated effort of government, Church and civil society organisations will go a long way in keeping Nagaland safe from liquor.
“Time is also ripe for the Church to wake up once again and lift up the banner against liquor and its ill effects. The land and Heavens have registered the covenant made by Church workers to give their blood to defend Nagaland as ‘Dry State’”, it added.