The residents of Defence colony and nearby areas came out in protest against opening of a liquor shop in their locality on Friday. The residents were outraged that the administration has cleared the shop to be set up in a residential area. The new liquor shop is located in Shastri Nagar extension and is very near to state Vidhan Sabha. The residents- which included a large number of women - assembled outside the shop and engaged in a vehement protest and slogan shouting.
“We will not allow the liquor shop here. This is a residential area and rules are very clear that liquor shop cannot open in such an area. The government should take notice and cancel the shop otherwise the residents of the locality are prepared for a massive agitation,’’ said Dr V K Nautiyal, a local resident.
“The place where the shop is coming up is the only road which links the city with defence colony, friend’s enclave, shastri nagar extension, MDDA colony and Shah nagar. The safety of women and girls would be at risk by this shop. All the women of the area are agitated and have resolved that the shop is closed,’’ said one female agitator.
Apart from the being near Vidhan Sabha, the shop is very near to the Dehradun- Haridwar rail line. The residents fear that the country liquor shop near the rail line is very dangerous as the people under the influence of alcohol could stray on to the rail track.
The residents later submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate asking him to order immediate closure of the shop.