Women snatch liquor bottles, protest shut-down of stores In Gurugram

Gurugram: Days after Supreme Court ordered shutting down of liquor stores within 500 metres of motorable distance from National Highways, women in Gurugram are protesting against complete shut- down of stores which have now moved from highways to residential areas. Women residing in one such populous area staged a massive protest against one of the liquor stores opened in their area. Women were seen entering the liquor stores and snatching liquor bottles from anyone who was seen purchasing liquor. They also raised slogans against shut down of these shops. Women are alleging that the liquor stores now shifted to residential areas are leaving a negative impact on students as they are in a close proximity from schools; and make their children consume liquor at a very young age. Women also showed anger against the fact that their husbands consume large quantities of alcohol and resort to domestic violence. “We wrote an application, which went unattended; therefore we have pledged to shut down this liquor store as it is ruining the future of our families, especially young kids” said a protesting woman. Another woman alleged that “there is a girls’ school close to the liquor store, and boys get drunk after purchasing alcohol and roam around the school in order to tease girls”. She demanded the store be permanently shut down for it is necessary for the safety of her daughter. Women protesting against liquor stores/ ABP News image SC order on shut down of liquor stores: Supreme Court in December 2016, banned sale in all liquor shops within 500 metres of national and state highways across the country. The move aimed at reducing drink driving and road accidents that claim thousands of lives every year. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur had also ordered removal of all signboards of alcohol vends along highways.