Peter Chachei
February 19
DIMAPUR, (MExN): With the Prohibition Act still prevalent in the state, over the years there has been an acute increase in the exodus of people from the commercial hub of Nagaland to KhatKhati, Karbi Anglong in the neighboring state of Assam to dip themselves in better qualities of liquor. Restaurants are packed by early evening and surprisingly most of the drinkers are the residents of Dimapur.
“We come here to spend every weekend and have a drink or two and hit towards home and moreover here we get better quality of wine then Dimapur that too at a cheaper rate” said Along who visits a particular restaurant at KhatKhati every weekend. No wonder all the vehicles park outside are Nagaland registered numbers and some even government vehicles.
“Financial ruin of many entrepreneurs; and loss of revenue for the state government” commented Paul who is presently working as a Junior Lecture, when asked about the aftermaths of the Act.
“Everyone is concerned about the many social problems bred by too much of alcohol consumption. But prohibition is not the right solution” says Lohe, who works for an NGO based in Dimapur, and continues that “one solution is to invest more resources in creating awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption, just like the awareness camps on HIV/AIDS are held.”
It can be also mentioned that due to the prohibition act still prevailing in the state, the liquor though available are adulterated and of low quality accompanied by high prices. The Act prohibiting the manufacture, sale and possession of alcohol, commonly referred to as the Prohibition has been in effect in the state since 1989.
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