Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

CPI activists target belt shops

PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

On the rampage:CPI district secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy and party workers destroying liquor bottles at a belt shop at Seethammadhara in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Activists of the Communist Party of India conducted raids on unauthorised liquor shops operating in residential areas of the city on Friday and damaged liquor bottles. A total of 12 activists were arrested by the police.

The CPI activists raided the wine shop being run near the Tehsildar's Office at Seethammadhara and at another shop being run near Sri Durga Ganapathi temple at Seethammapeta. They destroyed liquor bottles at both the shops. The raids were conducted under the leadership of CPI district council secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy. The decision to conduct the raids was taken by the party in protest against the running of wine shops near schools and temples. The party activists also demanded control on the flow of liquor and sought sale of liquor at MRP.

Relentless battle

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy alleged that the government was promoting unauthorised sale of liquor in a bid to fill its coffers. He said that the CPI would wage a relentless battle against unauthorised sale of liquor. The people of the affected areas would be enlightened, if necessary, on the issue.

On learning that the CPI activists were coming to raid their shop, the organisers of the unauthorised wine shop near the temple at Seethammapeta, locked the shop and went away. The CPI volunteers squatted outside the shop demanding opening of the shop. Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy appealed to Fourth Town SI B. Ramana Murthy to get the shop opened. After waiting for about 30 minutes, the party activists broke open the shutter and smashed the bottles. The police arrested the agitators.

The arrested persons include Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy, party leaders A Vimala, M. Pydiraju, G. Vamana Murthy, Padala Ramana, Pyla Eswara Rao, Shekar, Pushpa and Begum.

The police booked criminal cases under Sections 506, 427 and 341 read with Section 34 of the IPC for trespass.

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