Discussions on the possible lifting of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, gained momentum on Monday as Dimapur-based civil society organisations (CSOs) and tribal hohos held a three-hour joint consultative meeting at Hotel Saramati. The meeting, convened by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), marks the beginning of a broader series of district-wide consultations.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) vice president Tonzuk Pongen said 20 tribal hohos were invited, of which five could not attend. He expressed optimism that the hohos who were absent would also contribute positively in the coming days. He added that similar consultation rounds would continue with different stakeholders.
Consultative committee convenor Zasivikho Zakiesato said the NLTP issue affects “every section of society, from elders to youth,” and therefore requires a collective and thorough deliberation. He announced that another round of tribal hoho consultations will be held in January 2026, stressing that Monday’s discussion was only the starting point of a larger engagement exercise.
Zakiesato argued that 36 years of prohibition had “done more harm than good,” especially in a border district like Dimapur where alcohol remains easily available due to its proximity to Assam. Comparing Nagaland’s situation with the United States’ 14-year prohibition era, he said history shows that blanket bans often fail to achieve their intended goals.
He clarified that the demand was not for indiscriminate opening of liquor shops but for a responsible policy approach grounded in present realities. He said the CSOs are not opposed to the stand of the Church or any group, but must address the district’s evolving social and moral challenges. Responding to the Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s (NBCC) recent statement opposing the lifting of the NLTP Act, Zakiesato said CSOs respect the Church’s views but noted that “decades of enforcement have not changed the situation on the ground.” He expressed willingness to hold future discussions with Church leadership.
As part of the consultation roadmap, the NCD will meet with all villages under Dimapur district on November 26 and with the Dimapur Bar Association on November 28. The conclusions from these meetings will be incorporated into a comprehensive district-wide report.
Zakiesato informed that among the hohos present, half supported lifting the NLTP Act while the other half sought more time for internal deliberations. He emphasised that the meeting’s purpose was not to seek immediate approval but to update tribal bodies on concerns that CSOs have been raising since 2023.
NCD president G.K. Rengma said consultations will continue with all tribal hohos and organisations, noting that even those who could not attend Monday’s programme have responded positively. He stressed that the push to review the NLTP Act is not for the benefit of any organisation but arises from the daily realities faced by the people of Dimapur. He added that the widespread presence of illegal liquor outlets and bootlegging has undermined the very intent of prohibition.
