Beltangady: An intense protest was staged by the residents of Kadirudyavara in the taluk on 21st September, Thursday, against the opening of a new liquor store in the village.
The protest was led by an anti-liquor co-ordination committee during which the situation turned tense and police personnel were deployed in the region.
According to the sources, a new liquor shop was opened here on Thursday near a bus stand, where hundreds of students and women pass by everyday. Locals expressed their dissatisfaction to the district administration and a memorandum was submitted to the concerned officials.
Furthermore, it was learnt that the owner of the shop had acquired a no-objection letter by forging the signatures of village representatives. And without confirming or verifying the documents, permission was given by the excise department for opening the shop.
Organisations such as Durga Shakti Mahila Mandali, Chiranjeevi Yuvaka Mandala and Jai Shivaji Marati Sangha are supporting the anti-liquor co-ordination committee in this protest. However, the owner managed to open the shop with the help of police.
The villagers have demanded the deputy commissioner to visit the place and threatened to intensify the protests if the liquor store is not shut down.
The situation is tense and the police personnel are closely monitoring the present condition of the region.