PUDUCHERRY: The opening of a government-owned bar and an IMFL shop adjacent to a religious institution at the Parikkalpet Road in Bahour has met with objections from NGOs and the religious institution.
V Chandrasekhar, president of Bangaaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Koottamaippu, who petitioned the Lieutenant Governor A K Singh on Tuesday after receiving threats, said that since the opening of the IMFL shop about two weeks back near the convent, where only nuns live, the place has become a spot for anti-social activities with full knowledge of the authorities concerned.
Already, incidents of crime have been reported. A fight between two groups of drunkards took place and it led to them getting head injuries. The case was settled by the Bahour police without registering a case or filing an FIR.
The Bahour - Parikkalpet road is the connecting road from Bahour to the villages of Mel Parikkalpet, Keezhparikkalpet, Aratchikuppam, Commandamedu, Kuruvinatham, Soriankuppam . There are major irrigation channels leading from the Bahour main tank to the irrigation tanks in the villages adjacent to the road, both sides of which are prime agricultural lands.
Unfortunately, the Territorial government has not been able to even introduce adequate bus services to the villages.
This road is used by over 2,000 commuters who need to walk to reach their houses. Women and school-going children in the vicinity of the liquor outlet are the worst affected.
Despite this, the bar has been allowed to function in complete disrespect of the religious sentiments and also of the law of the country which does not allow any alcohol outlets to function near a religious institution, said Chandrasekhar.