Tension prevailed in Kovil Pappakudi village here on Thursday as a group of women and men prevented the opening of a TASMAC-run IMFL liquor outlet which was inaugurated in the area on Wednesday.
The men and women squatted in front of the shop around 12 noon when it was about to open and demanded its permanent closure. The protesters said the shop, which was functioning near Kalavasal, was relocated following the recent Supreme Court order to close all liquor shops within 500 metres of highways.
The villagers alleged that the shop was opened despite filing a petition to Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao 10 days ago, urging the district administration not to give permission. “When we submitted the petition, the Collector assured that the shop will not be opened against the interests of local people,” said A.V. Sethuraman, a resident.
Construction of a new building for the shop and attached bar facility was carried out rapidly and it was opened on Wednesday to the surprise of villagers, he said and pointed out that there were already four liquor shops in and around the area. “Moreover, there is a private school in the vicinity of the new shop. The students have to cross the liquor shop to go to the school. There is also a private textile mill, employing a large number of women, nearby,” he said.
As tension mounted, senior police and revenue officials arrived at the spot to negotiate with the protesters. Following assurance that their demand will be favourably considered by the district administration and the shop will not be opened until a decision was made, the men and women gave up the protest.
Mr. Sethuraman said that the villagers were planning to petition the Collector again on Friday to reiterate their demand for closure of the shop.
