Kohima: Nagaland government spokesperson and minister K.G. Kenye on Thursday clarified that the issue of lifting the decades-old liquor ban in Dimapur district has not yet been taken up for discussion in the state cabinet. His remarks come amid growing demands from civil society organisations (CSOs) to revoke the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, which has been in force for 35 years.
Speaking to reporters in Kohima, Kenye said the recent initiative by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) to repeal the prohibition law has not reached the cabinet for deliberation. He recalled that earlier attempts to review the NLTP Act and related laws were made “with good intent and in the overall interest of the state,” but had faced stiff resistance from sections of the public.
Acknowledging that the matter has triggered extensive debate, the minister said the government is allowing the people to lead the discussion. “This is a people-centric issue. Let the vast majority decide the future course. We have seen healthy debates and differing opinions across various sections, and we hope the Naga Council’s discussions are also in the larger interest of the public,” Kenye said.
He further clarified that no formal proposal regarding the revocation of the liquor ban has been submitted to the government. “Maybe a time will come when the cabinet will take it up for discussion,” he added.
Meanwhile, the campaign to repeal the NLTP Act in Dimapur continues to gain ground. Several CSOs from East Dimapur have extended their support to the move, joining hands with the NCD, which has already held two joint consultative meetings on the matter — the most recent one on Wednesday.
NCD President G.K. Rengma said the council’s initiative to address what he called a “controversial Act” can only progress through collective public participation. He described the latest meeting as a crucial step toward building grassroots consensus on the issue.
