The government has extracted the provision from Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTPA) for the alcoholics under medical supervision, to be used for medical purposes, from the provision for the military and para-military in their barracks and the limited provision for hoteliers. These provisions and the issuance of permit are stated in the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1989 through proper channel.
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 argument has been “to lift” and “to strengthen the Act.” The argument for the former is from revenue stance, stating that “Nagaland is a revenue starved state” and therefore, the government has been losing revenue to the neighboring states where liquor is in abundance. When it comes to NLTP we tend to compare ourselves with others in the region, the country and even beyond.
The latter group argues from the destructive nature of alcoholic in the society and lack of will power. Everyone seems to know the ill-effects of alcohol in the society in general and the family in particular. Every mother has a story to tell how liquor has destroyed the family. And yet we continue to ignore this aspect and the arguments continue.
This time around, particularly during the hornbill festival it has once again resurfaced. The reason of it is for the tourists coming in to the festival. To welcome the tourists within or outside of the NLTP provision is for you to judge. For sure, the tourists are not visiting our state because there is a provision for visitors to drink liquor in Nagaland. But we believe they are here because they want to experience our culture and our heritage and our tribal way of life. What best we can give and showcase should be at the forefront of our discussion. Because our guests have the freedom to drink or not to drink back at home. If they are coming to drink, they are in the wrong state. The provision will make it appears that they are here to drink. This will only make them feel guilty for being part of the problem. They are in our land to experience our culture and the social fabrics of the tribal Nagas and we heartily welcome them and we hope they will have a memorable experience.
On our part we have failed to demonstrate our maturity to people visiting us. We want to bank of element that has being dividing the society. A festival is a time of joy where everyone can celebrate oneness. Our culture is no doubt beautiful and we should showcase this to the world. We maybe lagging behind in many areas but when it comes to culture and custom, we are second to none. Our hospitality, our generosity and the deep cultural heritage of the Nagas are what we take pride in them. But not in something that destroys and divides the society.
We are all aware that liquor has destroyed many of our brightest. Homes are destroyed, children were left fatherless, wives are widowed, young people dropped out of schools and colleges. These are some deep seated problems we continue to battle with. Therefore, the church continues to stand on the Act because rather than building our state it continues to push us behind. The church does not believe that liquor can rescue nor build our state. Even though, Nagaland is a Christian majority state we are far from being perfect but this is where we stand and we want our visitors to know.
The effects of the NLTP provision will continue to linger with our society after the dust of the festival settles down. By then, you as our guest visitors will be gone but the argument and long term ill-effects of the provision will continue to take a toll on our society. This is what worries the church.
As you come peacefully to experience part of us we hope you will leave us on a positive note by leaving aside the NLTP provision made available to you. Have a wonderful visit and may you proudly say to the world Nagas have treated you well with their cultural heritage and not with what is dividing the society.
Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho
General Secretary, NBCC