Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 15: Hundreds of people today held protests at Ghagwal and Samba on the Jammu Pathankot National Highway at various places on the issue of opening of liqour shops in residential areas.
A large number of people, including women, assembled at Main Chowk in Samba raised slogans against the authorities and blocked vehicular movement on the highway for nearly six hours. A similar protest was also held in Ghagwal area earlier this morning which was called off after the closure of liqour shop at Ghagwal.
A deputation of locals, led by a social activist, earlier in the morning, also met with Samba Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner, seeking the closure of two liquor shops in residential areas. The protesters alleged that the police manhandled with women protesters during the protest and condemned the alleged police action against women.
Locals said that for the past more than one month, we have been staging protests and lodged several complaints with the district administration, but nothing was done. Now, citing an order of the court, liquor vendors in hand and glove with the authorities, have opened two liquor shops close to residential area. “We would not allow opening of liquor shops as it would vitiate the atmosphere in our village,” she said.
Nearly, five hours later, the Tehsildar Samba, RK Rathod, arrived on the spot and informed the protesters that the authorities have temporarily ordered the closure of two wine shops till further orders. After the assurance, the protesters dispersed and the vehicular movement was restored on highway. However, protesters alleged that no senior officer from the district administration and Excise Department arrived at spot to pacify the protesters.
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