The Konyak Civil Societies, comprising of the Konyak Union (KU), the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), have expressed its opposition to the Nagaland Government’s proposal to partially lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 citing that its society cannot afford to be used as an experimental ground for policies that may reintroduce the very challenges it fought so hard to overcome.

In the joint press release, the Konyak CSOs reminded that the call for total prohibition of alcohol was first initiated in its jurisdiction after it witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of unrestricted alcohol availability. It added that the CSOs’ courageous fight to curb the rampant alcoholism that was taking a toll on our society” was later supported by other Naga tribal organizations and eventually led to the enactment of the NLTP Act 1989, making Nagaland a dry state.

The civil societies stated that it “categorically rejects any proposal for even a partial lifting of the NLTP Act within the Konyak jurisdiction” and cited that “Our society cannot afford to be used as an experimental ground for policies that may reintroduce the very challenges we fought so hard to overcome.” “Konyak people are not yet ready to face the potential consequences of a free flow of alcohol within our communities”, it added.

Further, the Konyak CSO’s asserted that it is “not against progress or development”, however, “changes must be made when the people and the environment are truly ready to embrace them”, and urged the Nagaland Government to leave the Konyak Jurisdiction under the full effect of the NLTP Act, 1989.