Kohima: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council is demanding a full investigation into the deaths of nine people in Tuensang. These individuals allegedly died after drinking illegal liquor. Church leaders want the government to act immediately. They refuse to let this tragedy slide as just another unfortunate incident.
NBCC President Rev Achu Chang, General Secretary Rev Dr Mar Pongener, and Secretary for Social Concerns Dr Villo Naleo issued the statement on September 16. They expressed deep grief for the families. "The deaths of eleven people are not merely numbers," the council stated. The discrepancy in figures reflects the gravity of their mourning. They emphasized that these lives cannot be restored.
The Church wants the Excise Department to find those responsible. This includes every bootlegger, supplier, and distributor. They warned that profit must not come before human life. The council urged the government to enforce the NLTP Act of 1989 more effectively. They noted that laws only work when they are actually followed.
The NBCC argued for an honest relook at the state's liquor laws. Whether the act stays or gets repealed, they insist their prophetic duty remains. They pledged to keep working with authorities to stop alcohol abuse. They also warned that cooperation with the government does not mean a compromise of their convictions.
Updated at 17th September 2026 at 9:48am
The Church council highlighted that alcohol abuse is not just a personal struggle but a public health crisis and a social disorder that demands a shift in collective conscience. They warned against the practice of normalizing substance abuse and waiting for fatalities to occur before taking action.
The NBCC stated that its stance remains firm regardless of whether its position is popular. They emphasized that time has not changed the destructive impact of alcohol on individuals and families, stating, "What was harmful to our society thirty-seven years ago does not become beneficial merely because time has passed."
Church leaders further demanded that authorities root out any negligence or collusion within enforcement agencies. They explicitly called for action against those who exploit vulnerable people for profit, insisting that no room be left for the illicit manufacture or distribution of spirits.
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