PUDUCHERRY/CUDDALORE: Rising in rage against the opening of new liquor shops in their locality, people of Soriyankuppam village in Puducherry burnt down three liquor bars on Wednesday. The action came after their protest failed to yield a positive result from the powers that be.
Locals said seven bars and three arrack shops functioned in the area close to the Then Pennaiyar. Yet the government was keen on relocating another six liquor shops located on the Kaniyakoil-Mullaiodai stretch to the village. This, after the Supreme Court banned liquor shops within 500 m of the highway, both State and national.
Demanding that no liquor shop be opened in their village and that the existing ones be closed, people, mostly women and children, resorted to a road blockade.Police tried to remove them, but the irate protesters demanded that the officials from the Department of Excise assure them in person that no new shops would be opened and the existing ones would be closed.
Police told the protesting people that the officials could not come as they were in the UT Assembly as part of the budget session, which was in progress. But the people stayed put and continued their protest saying they would not move until the officials gave them an assurance.
Even as the argument was going on, a bar with thatched roof was set ablaze and soon two other bars too were ransacked and set on fire, following which force was used to disperse the protesters, the police said.
Additional police force was rushed to bring the situation under control. Police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police (Law & Order) Rajiv Ranjan rushed to the spot.
“As many as 26 have been named as accused in the FIR out of which five have been arrested,” Ranjan said.
Tension prevailed in the village and additional police pickets have been posted. After the Assembly session, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy convened a meeting with Director General of Police Sunil Gautam and other officials to discuss the Soriyankuppam incident.
As most of the liquor shops in Cuddalore town have been closed pursuant to SC order, tipplers have been swarming Soriyankuppam falling under the Union Territory, but situated very close to Cuddalore.
Sources in Cuddalore said the construction work for a few liquor shops was already underway as the patronage for the liquor sold in the bars and shops in the village is very good.
