Kerala   

Prohibition powers sought for local bodies

MALAPPURAM: A group of dignitaries comprising legal luminaries, writers, religious and cultural leaders on Tuesday demanded that the State government intervene in the agitation against liquor being held in front of the Collectorate here.

The Kerala Prohibition Council, which is spearheading the agitation, demanded restoration of prohibition powers to local bodies. A mass petition signed among others by the former judge of the Supreme Court, V.R. Krishna Iyer, the former High Court judge, P.K. Shamsuddin, writers Sukumar Azhikode, Sugathakumari and M. Leelavathi said the State was progressing by demolishing all cultural values it had gained over the years.

Dangers of liquor

Ensuring non-availability of liquor would be the ideal way to save the State from the dangers of liquor. They said restoration of powers to local bodies to implement prohibition locally would go a long way in saving the State and its people from an impending degradation.

They pointed out that almost all religious and socio-political organisations were backing the agitation being staged in Malappuram. “The government should give utmost importance to the matter, especially in the light of the recent tragedy that killed more than two dozen people in Malappuram district.”

Signatories

The other signatories included veteran journalist B.R.B. Bhaskar; Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen leaders A.P. Abdul Khader Moulavi and Husain Madavur; Jama'at-e-Islami State Amir T. Arifali; Indian Union Muslim League leader Sayed Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal; Nair Service Society leader P.K. Narayana Panikkar; Christian leaders Archbishop Joseph Peruvanthottam, Bishop Sebastian Thekkethecheril, Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathiose and Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil; writer M.K. Sanoo and Aryavaidyan P.K. Warrier.

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