27-03-2022 : Expressing resentment over the proposed opening of a liquor shop, people of Basantgarh here today staged a massive protest demonstration and demanded the cancelation of the proposal. The protest was led by locals including Mushtaq Ahmed, Rashid Wani, and Panchayat members and others joined including a large number of adjoining villages women, and raised slogans in favour of their demand. They said, “Our women folk especially school-going girls aren’t safe when liquor shops are being opened near educational institutions.”
The protesters said that the peaceful and most backward village and tehsil headquarter Basantgarh should not be converted into the village of alcohol. Speaking on the occasion, Rashid Wani said instead of providing better medicare facilities and upgraded education, the government is providing liquor shops without any demand. “We will not allow these shops to open as it will destroy our generation,” they said adding that if their demand are not conceded then they will intensify their protest with the support of women, children, and elders. They demanded that Lieutenant Governor Mr. Manoj Sinha should intervene in the matter and direct the concerned department to reallocate the wine shop to some other area. A woman protestor further said that when there would be the sale of liquor, then a drunk person won’t understand anything about the chastity of the woman. “By permitting the opening of shops in residential areas, near educational institutions and religious places, the government is hurting our faith, playing with our chastity and emotions,” said a group of protestors. They requested concerned authorities to look into the matter at the earliest so that locals can heave a sigh of relief Protestors said that alcohol is the root of all evils, so its sale and purchase should be banned at least near religious places and educational places besides residential areas. People of the area met Sub-divisional Magistrate, Basantgarh Mr. Wahid-Ul-Rehman and conveyed their resentment. He patiently listened to the public. When contacted, said, “I talked to the people about their reservations on the matter. People have some issues with the opening of a liquor shop in their area. I will take up the matter with concerned authorities for its redressal.”