Bhatkal: Residents protests against opening of liquor shop in their locality

Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Rizwan Gangavali Bhatkal 24 Aug 2017: Locals of Mutalli Panchayath area protested against the inauguration of a liquor shop in their area on Thursday. People reportedly demanded immediate seizure of the shop to the excise department officials who rushed to the spot after the reports of protest reached them. People started blaming the excise officials for giving the permission to the shop owners, when the tension seemed to grow, CPI Suresh Nayak with his team rushed to the spot and tried to convince the protesters, but the protesters were in no mood to let things go. The locals alleged the shop will compromise the safety of women in the locality during evenings, when the women head back to their homes after work, and can also result in law and order situation in future. Excise officials who were present on the spot claimed that the operation of the shop was not legally wrong and the department had issued them the permission after thorough inspection of the site and the permission was abiding all the instruction sent out by the Supreme Court of India. CPI Suresh Nayak though assured the people of looking in to the matter and the inauguration of the shop was temporarily stayed. The protesters were led by Panchayath member Jatia Naik, member of Katteveera sport club Shridhar Naik, Venkatesh Naik, Sathish Giri, and other members of local sangha.