An indefinite agitation launched by a group of tribal women under the aegis of the Adivasi Forum, demanding the closure of a Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) liquor outlet at Mananthavady, entered its 447th day on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the third phase of the indefinite agitation in front of the Wayanad Subcollector’s office at Mananthavady, C.R. Neelakandan, State committee convener, Aam Aadmi Party, urged the government to declare tribal areas in Wayanad district liquor-free, similar to the Attappady tribal area in Palakkad district.
Mr. Neelakandan said that Attappady was declared liquor-free to prevent tribespeople from drinking and a similar ban on liquor was required here too to save the lives of tribespeople.
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“There are 10 settlements of Adiya and Paniya tribespeople near the outlet and nearly 95% of the tribal men of the hamlets are addicted to liquor,” said Vella, a tribal woman of the Payyampalli Adiya hamlet and leader of the agitation. “The lifespan of our men has come down to 45-50 years from 75-80 years. Because of their drinking habit, their children drop out of schools,” she said.
Kakka, a 70-year-old tribal woman of Veettichal Paniya hamlet, said her son had been drinking for 15 years and the outlet’s closure would help him quit the habit.
“If the government continues to be apathetic, we will stage a hunger strike in front of the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,” Vella said.
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