6 July 2010 (Christian Today) - Church has warned the Nagaland government against reviewing or striking out the state's liquor prohibition act which it said was “born out of the struggle and prayer of thousands of people”.

A statement issued by the Liquor Prohibition Committee of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) said Christians were "prepared to stand for prohibition through any democratic means based on moral and spiritual authority.”

The Nagaland government had last week sought consultation with Naga civil society, NGOs and church organisations to discuss the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) that was enacted in the year 1989.

In its statement, NBCC said the prohibition of liquor was grounded on the solid teaching of the Word of God and therefore the Church’s stand will “never be compromised.”

Accusing the government of intentionally allowing the flow of liquor during important occasions or festivals, the statement said the government made a mockery of the Prohibition Act and undermined Nagaland's identity as a Christian state.

The convener of NBCC Liquor Prohibition Committee, Rev. Kari Longchar, said NBCC will not tolerate any move to either to do away with the Act or relax the use of liquor legally.

“Naga society has been victimized due to liquor consumption. The Nagaland government should not shy away from its responsibility of saving the people from the evils of alcoholism. It is expected that the rulers of the state do all possible to enforce the total ban on the flow of liquor so that morality and spirituality go hand in hand,” he urged.

“Needless to say, NBCC will stand by its commitment to the Act and caution the state government not to play any divisive policy." (Babu Thomas)