Nagaland keen to implement Liquor Prohibition Act: Torechu

Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for Excise T Torechu asserted that the State Government is firm on implementation of the Nagaland Total Liquor Prohibition Act, 1989.

Torechu made the affirmation while addressing a one-day seminar on Liquor Prohibition organised by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Women Department for Associations' women presidents and secretaries at its Platinum Hall here yesterday.

He said that the Act prohibits sale of liquor and issuance of license, but it does not stop individual from consuming liquor, as there is no such law within the Act.

He therefore called upon all stakeholders, churches and civil societies to join hands with the government in implementation of the Act.

He said problem of individual drinkers cannot be stopped by the government, but mothers and women have to take the social responsibility and play a greater role by trying to convince individuals to avoid liquor consumption.

Admitting that there are loopholes in the implementation of the Act, he said that the main problem of failure is Dimapur and Kohima as liquor reaches to other parts of the State passing these two districts.

The seminar resolved that the NBCC Women Department along with its affiliated women associations would uphold the prohibition Act and urge the state government to check the loopholes.

The NTLP Act 1989 was enacted in the state following the demand of the Church bodies to declare Nagaland as dry state.