KOHIMA, October 22: Senior Naga leader and former minister K Therie has called for a public mandate on whether Nagaland should continue with its liquor prohibition law, holding the State Government, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and underground organisations responsible for its alleged failure.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Therie said the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act had failed to curb the illegal liquor trade, despite reports of deaths linked to methanol poisoning from spurious liquor.
He cited at least 23 deaths reportedly linked to methanol poisoning during September and October 2026, including cases in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, and questioned the effectiveness of prohibition and enforcement.
Therie claimed that illicit liquor outlets had proliferated across villages and urban centres, with more than 5,000 outlets operating in urban areas, including over 2,000 in Dimapur. He also alleged that underground organisations were collecting ₹10–12 crore or more every month through taxation linked to the illegal trade.
Questioning the government’s approach, Therie said prohibition could not be enforced merely by restricting liquor transportation while the wider consequences for public health, families and the economy remained unresolved.
He also alleged that bonded warehouse licences, intended to supply liquor to paramilitary forces, were being misused to transport large consignments across the state.
Therie said the NJCF had consistently opposed lifting the NLTP Act and called for stricter enforcement. However, he argued that the continued circulation of illicit liquor had led other organisations to demand repeal of the law.
He also questioned the government’s decision to issue liquor permits during the Hornbill Festival, citing what he described as inconsistencies in the implementation of prohibition.
Criticising the enforcement drive, Therie alleged that small traders were facing publicised seizures and destruction of liquor, while large consignments allegedly transported under bonded warehouse licences were not subjected to comparable scrutiny.
He described the approach as discriminatory, saying enforcement was disproportionately affecting poorer traders.
Therie called for a broader response combining law enforcement with public education, rehabilitation and vocational training for youth. He also proposed disciplinary measures for government employees struggling with alcohol addiction, including a minimum two-year stay at reformatory institutions.
Therie said the government should seek a clear public mandate on whether prohibition should continue or be lifted, arguing that the future of the NLTP Act needed to be settled decisively.
He called on the State Government and Naga underground organisations to address the issue, amid continuing concerns over illicit liquor and alcohol-related deaths.
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