The Beverage Corporation’s (Bevco) move to relocate its outlet at Anangoor here to Paramba, near Poinachi, has met with stiff resistance from people.
The residents of the area, including women, have been on a day-and-night agitation against the move for the past two weeks.
They are now planning a human chain and an indefinite hunger strike till the decision is dropped.
Paramba, barely one km away from Poinachi, is a thickly populated area and has three upper primary schools with a total student strength of 2,000 within a 400-metre radius.
Paramba that is part of two wards of Chemnad grama panchayat also has an ancient ‘Kaavu’ (sacred grove) near the building where the outlet was proposed, said Janakeeya action committee working chairman Raghavan Valiyaveettil. “Large number of residents, including those owing allegiance to the ruling Left Democratic Front, are supporting the stir,” he said.
First move thwarted
Bevco’s earlier move to shift the outlet to Koolikunnu on the Chattamchal-Uduma link had faced similar resistance in March.
The shifting of the outlet is necessitated by the Supreme Court verdict to shift all liquor outlets at least 500 metres away from the national and State highways.
