Amid public protest, the Cantonment board of Dehradun unanimously rejected a proposal to open a liquor shop in Garhi and Premnagar cantonment areas.
As the news that opening of liquor shops is on the agenda of the cantonment board meeting, large number of local people gathered outside its office in morning. The agitators had a large proportion of women. The slogan shouting agitators barged into the office and stationed them outside the conference hall where the board meeting was being held. These agitators resolved that they will not allow the liquor shop in the area.
One of the agitators Vishnu Prasad said that cantonment area never had any liquor shop but now some people are planning to open a shop in Garhi cant market. He said that the people of the area are united in opposition for the shop. Another protester, Nisha Khatri said that the peaceful environment of the cant would be disturbed by opening of the shop. “We are facing problem of availability of water and board is planning to open liquor shop! We want water not liquor. The safety of the women would be at risk by opening of the shop in a busy market place like Garhi market,’’ she said.
The special meeting of the board was presided by the President of the cant board and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Uttarakhand sub area, Major General Balraj Mehta. The Vice President of the cant board, Rajendra Kaur Sondhi , the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the cant board Jakir Hussain and all eight councillors of the cant board were present in the meeting. All the members of the board unanimously opposed the proposal for opening of a liquor shop in the cant. As the news of the refusal of the board to grant permission for the shop reached to the agitators camping outside a wave of joy erupted. The agitators thanked the President of the board and members for rejecting the proposal of the liquor shop. One Gaurav Agarwal was permitted by the state excise department to open a liquor shop in Garhi cant area. The proposal came before the cant board which rejected the proposal outrightly.
In another important decision the board decided to re invite the tenders for construction of a war memorial at Cheer Bagh.