Officials, women cheer over High Court order on liquor shops

Earlier in the day officials expressed that the prevention work undertaken by them over the last 40 days would go for a toss as more number of crimes due to alcohol consumption.

A testimony to their apprehension was evident, as nearly 150 liquor related assault cases are being reported at Tiruvannamalai Government Medical Hospital alone on Friday.

“Friday was a nightmare as there were only limited police at check posts as most were deputed for Tasmac crowd controlling work. Officials are already tired having worked without rest for over a month and reopening liquor outlets was the last straw as they know that their work was in vain,” said a senior IAS officer.

“With beds in government hospitals in districts being limited, what do we do when liquor related assault cases turn up? Who gets priority? A COVID-19 patient or a liquor related hurt case?” he rued.

The officials’ frustration was further fanned by the insensibility of the tipplers who come out after 6 pm to have a drink. When questioned, they tartly, reply, “Where are we to drink when you refuse to open the bars? Do you want us to use our houses as bars?”

On the way the alcohol consumers stock up quarter bottles, even carrying them in the umbrellas, “The effect of this stocking will be known in a few days as more drunken brawls occur,” worried a medical officer.

Officials speaking to DT Next on condition of anonymity feared that “there is every danger of the higher ups issuing oral orders to reduce testing for COVID-19, so that there is no spike in coronavirus cases being reported.”

Pointing out the reason given for reopening of liquor outlets that in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur is the increase in hooch distillation in the three regions, officials said, “All districts are daily arresting distillers and even booking them under the Goondas and Bootleggers Acts promptly. Also no hooch death has been reported till date revealing that the government was wrong in its assessment regarding reopening of Tasmac liquor shops.”

Meanwhile, on Friday, women from Alagiripuram near Kollidam toll plaza gathered in front of the Tasmac outlet there and spilled the ration rice distributed to them. The protesting women said they were leading a peaceful life for the past 44 days and the opening of the outlet on Thursday many areas started witnessing a rise in altercations.

The women complained that many petty quarrels took place among the men of their area. One such man, had reportedly opened the gas cylinder when his wife scolded him for consuming alcohol.