NPP and Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem seek a probe into 23 suspected spurious liquor deaths in Nagaland and call for a review of prohibition.
Calls grow for a transparent investigation, stronger enforcement and a legislative review of the state’s prohibition policy.
DIMAPUR — The National People’s Party (NPP) and the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) have expressed grave concern over the deaths of 23 people in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts allegedly linked to the consumption of spurious liquor, calling for a comprehensive investigation, accountability and urgent measures to prevent further fatalities.
The concern follows reports of three additional deaths at Longphayimsen village under Longtho Police Station on October 15 and the 16th, with methanol poisoning suspected.
The reported death toll has risen to 23, although the actual number could be higher due to unreported cases.
In separate statements, the two organisations said the continuing fatalities highlighted serious concerns about the circulation of illicit and potentially adulterated liquor in Nagaland, a state where alcohol prohibition is in force under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
The NPP questioned how dangerous liquor could be manufactured, transported and sold despite the prohibition, describing the recurring deaths as indicative of possible enforcement failures and an organised illicit supply network.
Also read: Three die after suspected adulterated liquor consumption in Mokokchung
It called for a comprehensive, transparent and time-bound investigation into the recent deaths and previous related incidents.
The party urged the Nagaland Government to strengthen coordination between the police and enforcement agencies of Nagaland and Assam to identify the sources, suppliers and distribution channels of suspected adulterated liquor.
It also called for appropriate legal action against those found responsible on the basis of forensic evidence and investigation findings, along with relief for bereaved families and greater public awareness about the dangers of consuming liquor from unverified sources.
While acknowledging that the exact cause of the deaths remained subject to forensic confirmation, the NPP said the scale of the tragedy demanded urgent attention from the state government and concerned agencies.
It maintained that the protection of human life was the government's constitutional responsibility and that the repeated fatalities warranted scrutiny of the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms.
The MTLT, meanwhile, acknowledged the response of the district administration and police, including their stated commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal alcohol.
However, it questioned whether strict enforcement of the NLTP Act alone could resolve a crisis that had persisted despite prohibition.
The organisation said the situation required an honest assessment of the law, its implementation and its wider consequences for society. It cautioned against placing blame solely on the government, the Church or civil society, as well as against entrenched positions either supporting or opposing the prohibition law.
Instead, the MTLT called for a thorough and constructive debate in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, urging elected representatives to examine whether the existing policy was adequately protecting public health and human life.
It clarified that its call was not for the outright repeal of the NLTP Act, but for a comprehensive, evidence-based review of its effectiveness, implementation and impact on public welfare.
The organisation observed that prohibition policies that fail to prevent illicit activities could drive them underground, complicating regulation and exposing people to greater risks.
Both organisations stressed the need to go beyond political considerations and address the crisis through scientific investigation, effective enforcement and responsible policymaking.
The MTLT also referred to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life, saying the state's responsibility in this regard warranted careful legal and policy scrutiny.
The Telongjem further urged Mokokchung police to clarify the status of the investigation into the seizure of 15,824 empty McDowell's rum bottles during a surprise vehicle check at Sewak Gate on May 8, 2026.
Reports at the time indicated that the police suspected the bottles were being transported for the manufacture of adulterated liquor.
The MTLT called on the authorities to establish the intended use of the bottles, determine whether they were connected to any illicit liquor-manufacturing operation and take appropriate action if wrongdoing was established.
The organisation also appealed to alcohol consumers, whether occasional or habitual, to exercise caution and avoid liquor from unverified sources.
It warned against turning to narcotics or other harmful substances as substitutes amid alcohol scarcity, cautioning that such a development could trigger another drug crisis reminiscent of the 1990s.
The MTLT said Nagaland could not afford to lose another generation to substance abuse and addiction, emphasising the need for collective responsibility, foresight and preventive measures.
Both organisations called on the government, law enforcement agencies, elected representatives, the Church and civil society to work together towards a practical and sustainable response.
They maintained that preventing further deaths must remain the immediate priority, while the broader questions surrounding prohibition, public health and regulatory effectiveness required open, evidence-based examination.