SRINAGAR: Qazigund town, located on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, observed a complete shutdown in protest against the opening of a liquor shop.
All the shops in the town were closed, as locals have been demanding the immediate closure of the said liquor shop.
“It will be a source of waywardness and give rise to moral corruption. The government claims to act tough against drug peddlers but allows wine shops to operate freely. This duality is evident,” expressed a local resident.
Another local resident stated that the opening of a liquor shop would have a counterproductive and disastrous impact on the youth. “It’s crucial to keep the youth away from drugs and liquor instead of encouraging them to purchase and consume alcohol with government permission,” he emphasized.
Protests against the establishment of liquor shops in various parts of the Kashmir Valley have been witnessed in the past as well. Recently, Muslims, Sikhs, and Pandits jointly staged a protest against the same issue in North Kashmir’s Uri, which led the administration to close down the liquor shop. (knt)