Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 31: Rajeeva Nagar resident owner's welfare association members staged a peaceful dharna on Sunday August 30 against the opening of a liquor shop near Rajeev Nagar bus stand here.

Satyananda Nayak, taluk panchayat member addressing the protestors said that there are already eight bars in the layout. One of the bar shop owners Vijaykumar is planning to shift his shop to a nearby bus stand. Being in an institutional area, the public will get into trouble because of this.

Hundreds of villagers depend on this bus stand. If the shop gets shifted here problems would be created for the passengers by the habitual drinkers. They may show indecency in front of children and pedestrians. Also Vasuki Naga Yakshe, Naga Bana and Veera Maruthi temples are located near the bus stand. A scheduled caste community is not far from the area.

Satyanand also reported that 80 Badagubettu is a residential area. Many times other bar owners have attempted to place alcohol shops here, but residents have objected and made them fail in all their attempts.

Residents have been objecting to the liquor shop since three years. A memorandum has been sent to the related department.

Villagers opined that this liquor shop would disturb the peaceful atmosphere. So there is need to stop their venture, otherwise they will go on a strong agitation in future.

A group of youth, students, senior citizens and women came in support of the dharna against opening of liquor shop.