: A day after a Delhi Police constable was shot at by goons allegedly involved in surreptitious liquor trade in north-west Delhi, a large number of residents of Kirari led by Congress workers carried out a demonstration demanding a crackdown on the illegal liquor trade in the area.
Local Congress leader Pratyush Kanth alleged that more than 400 illegal liquor shops are being run in the 106 resettlement colonies of Kirari, which is one of the most densely populated Assembly constituencies in Delhi.
He said ninety percent of the illegal liquor was brought from Haryana, and distributed in an organised manner to the shops here. “We want a CBI or an Anti-Corruption Bureau probe into this business. Politicians, police and rich property dealers are involved in it,” said Mr. Kanth.
According to Mr. Kanth, about ninety-five percent of the working population in Kirari comprise daily wagers.
“Every day, thousands of them spend half or more of their earnings on country liquor. This business is spreading like cancer,” said Shadab Chaudhay, a local leader.
Residents of the area allege that the situation has become so serious that women are scared to step out of their homes after sunset.
The area also lacks police presence. “The government does not find it necessary to assign a full-fledged police station for the residents of this slum. People have to walk several kilometres to meet the SHO at the Aman Vihar police station, which falls in the Bawana Assembly constituency,” said Kanth.
“Every day, thousands of Kirari residents spend half their earnings
on country liquor”
