Sought Cong support against liquor shops: BJP

Our Correspondent

Abohar, November 29

Responding to a notice slapped by BJP Mandal (South) president Daljit Singh Tinna, party’s senior leader and two-time councillor Thakur Dass Siwan has stated that he met Congress leader Sandeep Jakhar to seek his intervention to get dozens of “illegal” liquor shops (branches) shut. He said these were allegedly functioning in the colonies dominated by the Dalit community. He also submitted his reply to the notice to other party leaders today.

Siwan said he did not take up any personal cause with Jakhar on Monday. “I had brought the problem to the notice of our party legislator Arun Narang earlier but it was not redressed. Fighting against evils and injustice is no crime, I am supposed to save Dalit families from being ruined,” he added.

Narang confirmed that Siwan discussed the issue with him too. “I contacted the local police and Excise Department officials on phone and told them to act against such illegal sale outlets but no one bothered. It appeared that illegal practice was flourishing with their connivance,” he added.

Siwan and other Dalit leaders today submitted a memorandum to SDM Poonam Singh and demanded action against Excise Act violations. They alleged that “illegal” branches and pubs being run in Arya Nagar and other colonies worked past midnight, violating the deadline.