Malappuram now driest' district

Malappuram: Only one outlet of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) escaped the Supreme Court ban on liquor vends within 500 meters of the national and state highways in the district. But the ban caused the closure of the remaining eight others from Monday. Excise authorities closed as many as 77 liqour shops including Bevco outlets in Edakkara, Nilambur, Manjeri, Malappuram, Perinthalmanna, Ponnani and Edappal in the district after the court order. This also includes an outlet of Consumerfed in Malappuram, 25 of the total 27 Beer and Wine parlours and the only bar in the district which was part of a five-star hotel in Azhinhilam.

Besides a Bevco outlet in Tirur which is already crowded on all working days, there are only two Beer and Wine parlours in the district which will continue to serve. The rush at the Tirur outlet is expected to increase. Cane charges by the police to manage the crowd are already a frequent occurrence here.   There are 106 toddy shops in various parts of the district. Of these 43 shops were shut due to the ban. The Military Canteen at Malappuram town has also been axed by the excise authorities. The canteen authorities were directed to relocate the outlet out of the highway vicinity.