Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Jun 22: A protest was held in the leadership of Harekala Nagarika Horata Samithi on Friday urging for immediate closure of newly opened liquor shop at Gramachavadi in Harekala gram panchayat limits.

Zahid Malar of the Nagarika Samithi addressing the protesters said that Gramachavadi is the place that joins three villages and two taluks. “People here are living in harmony. There is also an educational institute in the building where the liquor shop is opened. The liquor shop has obtained licence with the help excise department. If the shop is not closed, we will close it ourselves,” he warned.

Rafiq Harekala said that the illegal liquor shop was opened without obtaining permission from local gram panchayat. “There is a school, training centre of tailoring for women, religious centres and houses in the vicinity. Local people are anxious that several problems will be created if the liquor outlet is allowed to function. As most of the people in Harekala are poor and working on daily wages, women are worried that the men may become alcohol addicts and their families will be driven to streets.”

“There is a law that liquor shops should not be situated close to centres of education but such conditions are ignored in the case of this illegal liquor shop. Therefore, it should be closed at any cost,” he urged.

The committee members later submitted a memorandum to Harekala gram panchayat president. Though police security was tight, anguished local people gheroed the liquor shop and locked it.

Bashir B M, Naufal, Shahul Hameed, Muneer, Ismail and others participated in the protest.

Konaje police officials and excise department officials were present.