The Hindu : `Launch drive to eliminate Illicit arrack menace'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore

`Launch drive to eliminate Illicit arrack menace'

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, FEB. 19. Illicit arrack trade continues to hamper the electoral democracy in Cuddalore district, earning it the dubious distinction of being "one of the most sensitive districts in the country."

If this odium was to be shed off, the illicit arrack menace should be rooted out, said the participants at an all-party meeting convened by the District Collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, here today.

The Communist Party of India leader, T. Manivasagam, said those involved in the trade were acting as a decisive force to determine the course of elections. He appealed to officials to launch a drive to totally eliminate the menace and post impartial officers in those pockets.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, S. Dhanasekaran, attributed the twin factors — caste animosity and prevalence of arrack trade— for the district remaining blacklisted. The location of the Indian-made foreign liquor shops at public places caused tension. An IMFL shop was housed in the Jawans' Bhavan, affecting the very sanctity of the structure.

The CPI (M) leader put the onus of increasing the poll percentage on the officials, who, he said, should launch consistent campaign in this regard. He also called for cent per cent issuance of voter identity cards.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi MLA, T. Velmurugan, said it was the duty of the Election Commission to ensure increased turnout at the polling stations. In case the voters abstained from polling, electricity supply to their houses must be disconnected for a week. He alleged police collusion in illicit arrack trade in certain pockets.

Assuring cooperation in the peaceful conduct of the elections, Thamaraiselvan, leader of the Dalit Panthers of India, said that in the last Lok Sabha elections, Dalits in certain places in the Chidambaram taluk could not vote.

He called upon the authorities to take measures to enable all the eligible Dalits to participate in the elections.

The former State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Kirubanidhi, said suitable lighting arrangements must be made in the polling stations.

While the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, Thangaraju, assured his party's full cooperation to the officials, the Vice-Chairman of the Cuddalore Municipality, G. Kumar, and the Bhuvanagiri MLA, P.S. Arul, appreciated the authorities in maintaining law and order in the district.

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