Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Beltangady, Sep 21: Led by an anti-liquor co-ordination committee, the residents of Kadirudyavara here have started an intense protest against the opening of a new liquor store in the village. The situation has turned tense as police force has been deployed in the area.

According to the protesters, the liquor store opened on Thursday, September 21 flouting all the rules. The shop is quite close to an Anganwadi, a primary school, a temple, a three-acre reserve forest and a bus stand. Hundreds of students and women use the bus stand every day. Locals expressed their dissatisfaction to the district administration and submitted a memorandum to the concerned officials.

In the meanwhile, it is alleged that the owner of the newly opened liquor store had forged the signatures of the village representatives and submitted a no-objection letter to the excise department. It is said that the letter had many ‘outsiders’ named as villagers, hence helping the owner to submit forged papers. Without verifying the signatures and names, the officials gave the permission for the liquor store. The officials even visited the concerned area for survey in the absence of the owner after which he secured the permit to start a liquor store.

The villagers have alleged that the officials of the excise department are hand in glove with the liquor store owner who have involved in the forging of signatures and granted permission without proper verification. 

Durga Shakti Mahila Mandali, Chiranjeevi Yuvaka Mandala, and Jai Shivaji Marati Sangha are supporting the anti-liquor co-ordination committee in this protest. It is gathered that the protesters have gathered near the area since five days, but the owner opened the wine shop with the help of police on Thursday.

Protesters have threatened to intensify the protests if the liquor store is not shut down. They have also demanded the deputy commissioner to visit the place. A tense situation is prevailing in the area and police officials are closely monitoring the situation at present.