Dimapur Christian Elders’ Voice weighs in on repealing of Act
Dimapur, November 20 (MExN): A collective of elders from Dimapur under the aegis of Dimapur Christian Elders’ Voice has appealed the Government of Nagaland to conduct in-depth, systematic and evidence-based research to analyze alcoholism in the Naga society before and after the NLTP Act was implemented.
“In doing so, we believe that the decision taken on the future of the said act would be a rational and scriptural one,” the group’s Chairperson Rev L Kari Longchar and Secretary Rev J Thungjamo Lotha stated in a press release on Saturday.
According to the release, despite the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, Nagaland continues to deal with the problem of alcoholism as liquor still flows freely in the state. Stating that there is countless evidence that alcoholism has and will continue to sweep away many precious lives, destroy families, and create financial crises for families or an individual, it said that back when the NLPT Act first came into force, “the state witnessed a massive improvement in the lives of people, especially from alcoholism—a crucial fact that the advocates of repealing the NLPT Act appear to be unaware of.”
The case made that the economy of the state will improve without the act is nothing but superficial, it said, while underscoring that potential adverse outcomes like rise in divorce cases, street violence, vehicle accidents, the poor performance of students in their studies, financial crisis, etc, should be also be considered. “As a matter of fact, the Naga society witnessed these effects of alcoholism before the NLPT Act, and we fear that history might repeat itself if the act is repealed,” it added.
To this end, it said that a group of concerned elders at Dimapur met on November 19 to deliberate on the issue of repealing the NLTP Act and requested the state government to conduct an in-depth analysis of alcoholism before and after the Act, in order to make a rational and scriptural decision.
“Furthermore, we request all the believers in Nagaland to uphold the Government of Nagaland in their prayers and that the government will make the right and wise decision on the future of the said act,” it added.
The elders present at the meeting included Rev Dr Alem Meren, Rev Dr K Kaffo, Neikolou (Akole) Mero, Alemla Alem, Rev Dr Vezopa Tetseo, Khrieleno Terhüja, Rev Dr Visor H Zeliang, Rev C Lima Sangtam, Rev S Imdaklemla, as well as Rev L Kari Longchar and Rev J Thungjamo Lotha, the release stated.
