Kohima, Oct 21: National People’s Party (NPP) national vice-president Vevoyi Wideo D. Vadeo has criticised the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, calling it a “scam” that promotes the black market, amid reports of 23 deaths linked to suspected spurious liquor consumption in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts.
In a social media post, Vadeo questioned the effectiveness of the prohibition law and accused the state government of conducting liquor seizures without ensuring convictions.
“Govt. of Nagaland, please STOP fooling the public with Seizure Dramas when the Act itself cannot convict the violators. NLTP Act is designed to promote black market. It is not prohibition. It is the Nagaland Lethal Trade Protection Act,” he wrote.
Vadeo cited Section 43 of the Act, which restricts courts from taking cognizance of offences unless a complaint is made by the Director of Prohibition or an authorised officer. He argued that the provision creates hurdles in prosecuting cases based on police chargesheets.
He also referred to a Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench order dated November 25, 2024, which recorded difficulties faced by a magistrate in taking cognizance of NLTP cases based solely on police chargesheets without a complaint under Section 43.
“An Act that provides for 3 years of imprisonment has become Non-Cognizable in practice,” Vadeo said, alleging that liquor seizures have failed to deter illegal sales.
He said the government must decide whether to retain the prohibition policy and enforce it effectively through proper rules, manpower and convictions, or acknowledge its shortcomings and consider lifting the ban.
“The blood of 23 people who died due to alcohol is on the hands of the Nagaland Government,” he said, alleging that liquor remained widely available despite the prohibition law.
He described the deaths as a failure of governance and enforcement and demanded accountability from the government.
The remarks come amid a serious suspected spurious liquor crisis in Nagaland. 23 people have died in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts following suspected consumption of contaminated liquor. The deaths have prompted calls for a comprehensive review of the NLTP Act from the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT). The NPP has also demanded a transparent investigation.
The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and directed the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and the Excise and Health departments to submit a report within four weeks.
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The post ‘Dry state only on paper’: Nagaland NPP leader calls liquor prohibition law a ‘scam’ appeared first on Hub News.