The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Dharna seeking closure of liquor shops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dharna seeking closure of liquor shops

Staff Reporter

They have been opened allegedly in violation of rules

DEMAND: Members of the Karnataka State Anti-liquor Movement Committee staging a dharna demanding closure of liquor shops.

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Anti-liquor Movement Committee has launched a dharna demanding closure of three arrack shops and one wine store at Manjunatha Nagar and Kataraya Nagar in the T. Dasarahalli City Municipal Council limits.

These have been started allegedly in violation of the Karnataka Excise Act in connivance with the jurisdictional excise and police officials.

Committee president A.T. Babu, the former minister B.T. Lalita Naik, freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, vice-president of the CMC M.S. Ramesh, Susheelamma of Sumangali Sevashrama and Dayananda Swamiji of Basavadharma Jnanapeetha told reporters that the residents have been protesting since October 2. They said that the arrack shops were forcing poor residents into penury.

Demanding suspension of the police and excise inspectors for arresting the protestors on baseless charges, they said that these shops had been allowed near schools. They alleged that the licenses had been obtained by providing false addresses.

Mr. Babu said that the committee had been successful in pressuring the Excise Department in closing down many illegal arrack and liquor shops in Mandya, Mysore, Kolar, Tumkur, Sira and Chickballapur and in Bangalore through peaceful agitation.

The swamiji criticised the Government for its move to allow sale of liquor in provision and grocery shops. More than 600 residents have in a memorandum to the authorities urged them to close down these shops in the interest of the people.

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