Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Nov 13: Villagers are up in arms against a liquor shop that has been recently opened at Pelathadi in Ajjavara village in the taluk. Expressing resentment at the opening of this shop, they held a mega protest near the gram panchayat office. During the protest, it was decided to convene special Gram Sabha of Ajjavara gram panchayat on November 16 to discuss the issue of the liquor shop and take suitable decision about its future.
Former zilla panchayat member, Dhananjay Adpangaya, speaking at the protest meeting held on Monday, November 12, said that opening of liquor shop in the village that is dedicated to the notion of creating a healthy society by keeping liquor away from the village is condemnable. "Liquor shops give rise to disturbances, which is hazardous for any healthy society. They act as stumbling blocks in the development of village and taluk. We will not allow innocent people to suffer and be victims of such a situation. Our concept is to have a village that is free of liquor. Therefore, this shop should be shut down immediately lest the villagers will take this decision," he warned.
After the meeting, the villagers moved in a procession from near the gram panchayat office, gathered near the liquor shop at Pelathadi that has become the bone of contention, urged the concerned to shut the shop, and raised slogans. The police stopped the protesters in front of the liquor shop. During this period, there was verbal friction between the villagers and the police personnel. The villagers stuck to their stand that they would not budge from the spot till the deputy commissioner, tahsildar, and excise department officials arrived there.
Sullia police sub-inspctor, Manjunath, told the villagers that the only option they have is to seek legal recourse to close down the liquor shop, and warned that he would be forced to take action as per law against them if they forcibly undertake destructive activities. He advised the crowd against using women as a shield. "If there is no provision to open liquor shop here as per law, there is revenue department to handle such matters. You should not take law into your hands. If you try to take law into hands, I will take stern steps," he cautioned.