Opposition to opening of new liquor shops continues in the State capital as the locals of the Imamigate area of the city came on roads on Thursday to register their protest against opening of new liquor shop.
Hundreds of locals led by former Congress Corporator and husband of Corporator from ward number 9, Shabana Shahid Ali – Syed Shahid Ali and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Corporator from ward number 7 Manoj Rathore came on roads to register their opposition against opening of new liquor shop close to one of Asia’s largest mosque, The Taj ul Masajid and other two mosques, close to biggest hospital of the State capital Hamidia Hospital, educational institutes and a Mazar.
The protestors most of the locals of the Imamigate area also handed over a memorandum addressed to the district Collector to the SDM who reached the spot and assured the gathering that the complaint would be heard and action would be taken on it.
Syed Shahid Ali while talking to The Pioneer after the demonstration said, “We have demanded from the Collector to immediately close the newly opened shop as it has been opened in the densely populated area and it is very near to mosque, hospital and Mazar.”
Shahid Ali said that we have informed the Collector that there are four other wine shops within one kilometer radius of this shop hence there seems no justification in opening this shop.
BJP Corporator Manoj Rathore said that the demonstration to oppose the opening of liquor shop was in the leadership of Shahid Ali, being a local of the area he joined that. The demand of the locals is justified as the opening of this liquor shop would trigger many problems in the area, he added. Rathore further said, “I will take up the issue with the party leadership and we would get rid of this wine shop to provide relief to the locals.”