Hyderabad: The new liquor policy has enabled five liquor shops to open in a two-kilometre radius of the Tondupally toll plaza in Shamshabad, where a veterinarian now known as Disha was brutally raped and murdered.
Residents in the vicinity claimed that the area has become unsafe and women are living in constant panic. They claim that the liquor shops near the toll plaza encourage commuters to stop and drink liquor which can lead them to commit heinous crimes.
“The new liquor policy allows them to be open till 11 pm in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits. There are at least five liquor shops within a radial distance of 2 km from Tondupally toll gate, where the rapists consumed liquor. Stop liquor shops. Single biggest factor that makes localities unsafe,” said Mr D. Bhardwaj, a resident of the area.
Another resident, Ms K. Kalavathi, said, “The area has been attracting commuters who stop and consume alcohol because there is sufficient parking place. We are living in constant panic and request authorities to take serious note of the issue to protect residents, especially women.”
The new liquor policy follows a cluster system that enables wine shop owners to set up 18 wine shops in the demarcated area.
Telangana Wine Dealers’ Association president D. Venkateswara Rao said that the government has merged eight wards and made it a cluster and allowed wine shop owners to set up 18 liquor shops in any location within the cluster.
Mr Rao said that the previous liquor policy allowed a maximum of four shops in each ward.
Excise department officials were not available for comment.
