Large number of residents, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State vice president D. Kuppuramu staged a demonstration at Subbaiah Nagar, near here on Saturday, protesting against the opening of a liquor shop in the residential area.
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) had opened a shop at Subbaiah Nagar one and a half months ago after closing another liquor shop, located on the national highway on the orders of the Supreme court.
When TASMAC officials tried to open the shop last month, local residents staged a protest and attempted to lay siege to the office of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), when the then ASP S. Sarvesh Raj assured them that he would ensure that the shop was not opened.
The officials after keeping the shop closed for more than a month, tried to open it on Saturday when the local people led by BJP leaders, including district secretary Athma Karthik gathered in front of the shop with women and threatened to ransack the shop, if it was opened.
Mr. Kuppuramu said the shop was located in the midst of residential areas and would pose huge inconvenience to people residing in Ram Nagar, Vallabai Nagar and Subbaiah Nagar.
Women and school students passed through the shop and “we will never allow the outlet to be opened,” Mr. Kuppuramu said.