Dimapur CSOs reiterate demand for relaxing Prohibition in Dmr

February 13, 2024 16 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 13

The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) said that it will continue to pursue with the Nagaland state government the prospect of lifting the failed liquor Prohibition law. The DUCCF had submitted a representation to the Nagaland Governor in December 2023 demanding repeal of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act from Dimapur district. It was a follow up to an earlier representation submitted by Civil Society Organisations of Dimapur district to the Governor demanding the same.

Addressing a press conference, jointly with the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), on February 12, DUCCF President, Zasivikho Zakiesato asserted that as endorsed by the NCD and the CSOs of the district, it will be consulting all organisations in concern, including tribal leaders, to carry forward the demand contained in the representation to the Governor.

“We will make sure that we leave nobody aside and have consultations with every section of the society in Dimapur. Following up on that, we will be persistently pressuring the government under the aegis of the NCD,” he said.

As to the status of the representation, he said that it was forwarded to the Chief Secretary by the Governor but the government has yet to respond. He added that the CSOs are looking forward to meet the Chief Minister.

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, in a recent interview to the media, maintained that the public has to voice its concerns and the government will take appropriate action.

NCD President, Etsungmomo Kikon, reiterated the demand for relaxing the Prohibition law in Dimapur district, “on trial basis,” because Dimapur happened to be the most affected. According to him, the CSOs met on Monday to assess the progress of the representation submitted to the Governor.

Kikon said that they took up the issue in the interest of the public as the NLTP Act has clearly failed and that it endorsed the DUCCF to pursue the matter with the government.

He added, “We have had consultative meetings with Dimapur-based church leaders. The church leaders were clear on the position of the NBCC on the NLTP. We honour and respect their stand.” According to Kikon, the women organisations of Dimapur are also signatories to the representation submitted to the Governor. In the event the state government asked the DUCCF and NCD to take into confidence the church, Zakiesato said, “Let’s wait for the government to tell us so. Now, we won’t comment on that.”

They were not clear on the prospect of the CSOs commissioning a scientific ground survey in support of their demand.