Dimapur, March 23 Several civil society organizations (CSOs) in Dimapur district have resolved to submit a representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio within this month, advocating for the repeal of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act.
The Dimapur-based civil society groups held a meeting on Monday and claimed that the NLTP Act is a "failure".
They argue that the Act is failing because illicit liquor poses a health hazard due to its widespread availability, while the government is losing revenue.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Secretary of the Committee for Repeal of the NLTP Act, Dr Kahuka Sema, said they have decided to meet the chief minister and submit the representation in the coming days.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the state government taking action but expressed confidence that the underlying logic would eventually lead them to repeal the Act.
Sema said the Committee has already planned how to proceed, regardless of whether the NLTP Act is lifted or not.
He said, following a series of consultations with CSOs, including student bodies and village councils from Dimapur and East Dimapur, it has become clear that the NLTP Act is a failure.
"Nearly 80 per cent of the organizations we consulted now agree that the Act should be lifted in favor of a more practical approach," Sema said.
Earlier, Dimapur Area Baptist Churches had urged the state government not to consider lifting the NLTP Act in the Christian-majority state, citing concerns about revenue generation, socio-economic issues, and health.
