The anti-liquor movement in the State has gathered momentum with DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, who promised prohibition in the event of his party assuming power, announcing a demonstration on August 10 for its immediate implementation.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, another advocate of prohibition, demanded an all-party meeting to find ways for its implementation.
Mr. Thirumavalavan, who has called for a bandh along with the MDMK for August 4, said the all-party meeting should adopt a resolution urging the Centre to compensate the financial loss likely to be incurred by the State due to the closure of liquor shops.
Mr. Karunanidhi said his party would organise demonstrations in all district headquarters . He strongly condemned the police action against protesters demanding total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, saying that instead of treating the protests as an urgent social issue that needed political solution, the State government resorted to police action.
Citing a report in The Hindu that “the manner in which the school-going daughter of Sasi Perumal was taken into custody by police was illegal according to the Juvenile Justice Act 2000 for policemen in uniform to handle children,” Mr. Karunanidhi said the police had arrested the late Gandhian’s wife, son and leaders of political parties.
CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan also urged the government to implement prohibition in the face of increasing protests against liquor shops. While condemning the police action against the protesters, including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, he demanded withdrawal of cases against them.
VCK demands all-party meeting for prohibition
