Nagaland was declared ‘Dry State’ in 1987 and the colossal wave spread to the whole State. However, it must not be forgotten that KNSK, a women organization of Mon District was the pioneer of this historic struggle against alcohol since 1978, right after district-wide revival. The then Deputy Commissioner, far-sighted Changkija Ao, in 1987 had asked all Mon NGOs and church leaders their choice to declare Dry State or not. Obviously, Dry State was the choice without any further insight as to what the result of this clandestine decision might be in the long-run. The historic decision taken and alcohol cursed, the Konyaks began their drive against what was termed as anti-social and anti-Christian. There were four wine shops at Mon Town itself, far too many for a small town like Mon. All were closed down and the cursed liquor banned ceremoniously.
This drastic change gave way to the birth of drugs, a more dangerous substance. Initially, drugs crept into our society in the form of phensydyle; a cough syrup, Spasmoproxyvon, Relipen, etc. They came as an alternative to alcohol since they were unknown to most and more convenient for transportation and the ‘kick’ better. The infamous credit goes to those students who were then studying at Shillong, Dimapur, Kohima, etc. They introduced these substances into Mon during early 1980s. Gradually, one after the other these substances were identified and banned but other spawned in their places. Now, the trend is ‘brown sugar’ at Mon.
Till now records from Civil Hospital and Shansham Organization show drug-related death tolls about 15-20 cases per year, far more than what alcohol had claimed since time immemorial. Not only deaths, but also the declaration of dry state has crippled Mons economy. For instance, a bottle of ordinary whisky or rum which costs Rupees 120/- in Assam is Rupees 250/- or more here and a bottle of beer (Rs 40) is Rupees 100/- at Mon. The price is double or almost triple since it has been rated ‘black’ and lots of checking are conducted in the name of dry state. However, the inflow and consumption of alcohol has not stopped anyway. It is found all over the town and there are big watering holes in the forms of Assam Rifles, Border Roads, etc. These sources exploit this opportunity. They earn lofty sums by selling out their supplies at exorbitant prices to the thirsty boozers. Sometimes NGOs are stern upon the local sellers but they cannot stop these two agencies, which creates a sense of partiality.
Until now, people have not been convinced of the evils of alcohol and the abrupt ban has only given rise to drugs and fall of economy. Bordering towns like Tizit and Naginimora, where alcohol is cheap and available, have very less alcoholics and drug addicts. However, from Mon and above, alcohol and drugs are like ‘forbidden fruits’ and this fact is an open secret.
‘Dry State’ was declared by the former leaders since they felt it as the need of the hour then, but now the society is facing the brunt because the idea is no more applicable now and we have enough proof and even the pioneers have realized the futility of the cause as is in the other parts of Nagaland. At present, Mon is in dilemma. It can dare to neither take back its commitment to God nor stop the abuse and fall of economy. So, is it more Christian-like to be alcohol free only in theory or be less spending for it and be richer and happier? Let us await the solution from our present government or more practically, put a relentless thought to it and bring a solution ourselves.
Minphong Konyak
Press Assistant, Shansham Organization, Mon
