KOLLAM: Residents of Thazhuthala near Kottiyam here will stage a road blockade and march on Thrikkovilvattom panchayat office on Wednesday against shifting a liquor outlet to a residential area. Authorities were planning to move the Bevco shop from Kottiyam Junction after the Supreme Court order shift all shops within 500 m from the national and state highways.
“We will intensify protests that started ten days back as the authorities including minister Mercykkutty Amma have paid least attention to our demand," said protest council general convenor Thulasi Bai, who is also a ward member. "When we raised the issue, she was so intolerant to ask us to provide space in our homes. The public is continuing their day and night protest in the proposed area.” They say the place the Bevco identified, Velimukku, is least suitable as it is thickly populated with a lot of residential buildings. There are schools, places of worship and factories.
They include Thazhuthala Mahagana-pathi Temple, Kannanalloor Juma Masjid, Neerozhukk Masjid, Khadisiyya Islamic Complex, National Public School, Sri Chithira Thirunal Central School and two cashew factories. “We had submitted petitions to authorities including the chief minister, district collector, and excise minister. All political parties except CPM are active in the day and night protest led by residents including women and children. We will fight until we get it solved,” she added.
