The Article of ‘Drinks and drinkers-life goes on’ in the front page of Morung-Express on the 9th of August has lately caught my attention where the statement of an entrepreneur and prominent journalist and the correspondent was quoted as saying, I would want not only alcohol but even tobacco, guthka, etc “the excise department and the Assam Rifles are doing its part in the cause of prohibition.” Here, I totally disagree with the correspondent for giving credit to the Assam Rifles in general because for example, here in Kohima I know quite a few persons who are into ‘open alcohol business’ and among the stocks in their shops are found a good quantity of whisky and rum from the Assam rifles canteen at Kohima town. On casual conversation, it was said that on rare occasions shop owners themselves go and procure it though in ‘very less quantity.’ But it seems there are a few non local entrepreneurs who sell it by the ‘cases’ every month. My point here is we should not give credit or chabash to the AR as a whole like the correspondent because not all the commanding officers are honest. Very true, not only in Mokokchung but here in Kohima also the AR confiscate alcohol in the highways and handover to the police but interestingly I know here at Kohima they also sell their stocks knowing clearly that it is to be sold in the market. Some are (were) next to our very own Ao church at midland but sold only to known and trusted customers. Let it be clear that I am not against the AR sharing some of their purchases to the public (after all they call themselves friends of the hill people though we have never said they are our friends or enemies) or blame the odd number of sepoys who sell their share at times but the top officers of the present battalion in this town has been doing more than it meets the eye and reaches the ear, not only on the above subject but also in various ways and means unbecoming of the disciplined Indian army and individuality as officers and gentlemen which are negative for the little peace and calmness prevailing right now. As for the excise department, our readers are the best judge, but if they are willing, please enlighten the public as to how army people in their department do not consume alcohol or if they do where they procure.
Therefore, my request to the general public more so our newspaper correspondent is that when it comes to applauding or condemning others in this case the military please be more specific. Do not blame them in general when something goes wrong or praise them all when something good is done because believe me “not all the Assam rifles battalions are doing their part in the cause of prohibition” nor all the battalions our friends. I earnestly appeal to the higher authorities in the Assam rifles to look into the matter of dishonesty because not all your officers are saints and all the Naga criminals are ignorant. Further more, I beg the Assam rifles not to turn this into a paper war because though no one can stop you from denying the contents of this article. My motive is not to condemn but bring to your knowledge what I have heard and noticed with evidence against the brave 16th.
K. R. Angami
Kohima town
