Commissioner of Excise and Prohibition, Maongwati Aier today maintained that the Excise department was very much part of the church and the missionary movement since the department was undertaking a mission to make prohibition a possibility.

He said this while briefly speaking before destruction of assorted liquor here at the office premises, whose street value was estimated at over `20 lakhs. The IMFL of assorted bottles were seized between February to June this year in Dimapur.

Maongwati said it was shocking that despite Nagaland being declared as a dry state and consequent enforcement of the Act, hotels and lounges openly display availability of various brands of alcohol and the rates in their menus.

Terming these as “sheer nonsense” Maongwati vowed that the department would not tolerate any of these and would enforce and implement the dry law strictly.  

Further, Maongwati asserted that the department would not tolerate sale of alcohol especially near educational institutions which lead many young children astray to path of ruin instead of learning to be responsible citizens of the future.

Stressing on the critical importance of moral values at the present juncture, he said “If we do not check the young people today, tomorrow they will become the most immoral alcoholics and immoral drug addicts.”

He posed that if young people pursue higher studies and if their moral was corrupted through alcohol and drugs, then the future of the Nagas, even if supposing sovereignty was attained, would be in jeopardy. He also pointed out that many young people today were dying due to alcohol and drugs.

He said in this regard, the department would strictly enforce prohibition so as to deprive the youth of a destructive avenue. 

Maongwati also encouraged Excise personnel to contribute to healthy society by giving their best towards enforcement of prohibition so that, after retirement in the next 20 to 30 years, they could look back with pride and satisfaction that they had earned their salaries and given something to society. 

He also urge officers and personnel to work hand in hand with  civil societies including Naga Hoho, Naga Women Hoho, Naga Council, NSF and others, towards prohibition.

 The Excise Commissioner pointed out that the department has 231 personnel to carry out its duties for 20 lakh people and therefore, need to also seek support from Assam Rifles, CRPF including media. 

Also speaking at the destruction programme, Naga Council Dimapur general secretary, N. Ngullie, congratulated the excise department for implementing the liquor law and added that it was progressing and achieving remarkably. He said many Naga leaders were victims of alcohol abuse and left their families broken. 

It was revealed that the period from February to June this year resulted in the highest seizures of IMFL that included 12,564 assorted bottles. 

  Maongwati also clarified that Assam Rifles personnel were not part of Excise enforcement but only seize contraband including liquor during normal MVCP and mobile checks all over the state. 

He said the seizures of illegal arms and ammunition, liquor, drugs and other banned items complement the efforts of the Excise department. 

The  programme which was chaired by Nribemo Lotha, DC, excise and prohibition (NC) and chairman, liquor destruction board.

A report was read out by  Lanuwati Jamir, superintendent, excise and prohibition, and members secretary, liquor destruction board  while Lima Jamir, associate pastor, DABA, Lingrijan offered prayer.