Protest Called Off In Malviya Nagar After Liquor Store Controversy In Residential Area, Continues In Awadhpuri

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Protest was suspended in Malviya Nagar on Tuesday after it was decided not to shift the liquor shop from the existing place. However, the protest continued in Awadhpuri. About 98 outlets have been auctioned in Bhopal district and 80 per cent of them have gone to one group.

Temple is on other side of road

In Malviya Nagar, police force was deployed to avoid untoward incident considering the intense protest that was going on for last few days as the outlet was to be shifted in front of a temple. Temple is on other side of road. In Awadhpuri, Sunderkand paath was recited as mark of protest.

Malviya Nagar corporator Pappu Vilas said, “We protest opening of liquor outlet on main road adjacent to a nationalised bank located opposite Patrakar Bhavan (Malviya Nagar) where temple is also situated.”

Cops deployed amid protest

Heavy police force has been deployed. For the last couple of days, we were protesting there.” Liquor contractor Ehsan Shivhare said shifting had been cancelled in Malaviya Nagar. “So, protest has been suspended,” he added.

Earlier, small group used to get liquor outlets. This year, the outlets were clubbed and bigger players were in fray for the auction through e-tendering. “When you have large groups of more than 20 shops, the smaller players are obviously out of the game. But clubbing more outlets will lead to monopoly in the liquor market,” Shivahare said.

Liquor shops auctioned through e-tendering

This year, liquor shops were auctioned through e-tendering. Four groups were formed. The first group BPL-1 has 19 shops from Nayapura to Neelbad. The second group BPL-2 has 16 shops from MP Nagar to Ayodhya Nagar. The third group has 25 shops from Sukhi Sewaniya to Govindpura and the fourth group has 27 shops from Peergate to Harrakheda.