VILLUPURAM: Even as a pall of gloom descended over the village of Ekkiyarkuppam near Marakkanam on Sunday, women residents alleged that the sale of spurious liquor near the village has been on for years.
Ekkiyarkuppam residents also blocked East Coast Road at Marakkanam in the afternoon, seeking action against those engaged in the sale of illicit liquor. Villupuram collector C Palani and SP N Shreenatha pacified the protesters.
While men were earlier hesitant to talk about spurious liquor sale near the village, women have come out in the open to speak about it. They alleged that members of a particular family from the Marakkanam Colony area have been selling spurious liquor for many generations. A partially demolished guest house amid trees between Ekkiyarkuppam and the colony is where the sale takes place, the women alleged.
As several men have been consuming such liquor for years, they never complained to the police. Since they do not have a local village panchayat like other fishing hamlets, there is no one to control the sale. “If anyone complains to the police, the sale won’t take place for a few days. Police would come for a raid and then say that no such activities take place in the area,” a woman belonging to the family of a deceased person said.
Villagers also alleged that police personnel regularly receive bribe from the sellers, and never take action.
Residents of Marakkanam alleged that spurious liquor is being sold at nearly 10 spots in the area. Gangs involved in the sale smuggle raw spirit from Puducherry and sell it after mixing water. The residents also alleged that the sellers grease the palm of police personnel on a monthly or weekly basis. The sale of ganja is also increasing by the day in Marakkanam, they added.
Spurious liquor has also spread to villages near Kottakuppam and Vanur areas, the residents claimed. It is available in small packets, each priced at Rs 20 to Rs 30. Several people, especially daily wage labourers and fishermen consume this, a youth from Kodur said. The gangs smuggle and transport spurious liquor from Puducherry to border villages in Chengalpattu district near Marakkanam.
Residents of Marakkanam are questioning why the Kottakuppam PEW police station was shifted from Marakkanam to Thiruchitrambalam Junction Road last year. Strict action has to be taken against the sellers in Marakkanam and suppliers in Puducherry.
Police sources said the Kottakuppam PEW station was functioning from an old building. As the structure was weak and reptiles kept entering the premises, it was shifted to the police department building on Thiruchitrambalam Junction Road.