Amid curfew, liquor being sold secretly in rural areas

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 4

In clear violation of curfew restrictions, liquor is being sold secretly in many villages of the district while the authorities concerned have failed to initiate action against the violators till now.

Liquor does not fall in the category of essential goods, therefore, liquor vends must be closed during the curfew. Owing to no check by the authorities, the illegal practice has been continuing unabated.

The Health Ministry in its advisory on Covid-19 had directed to stay away from selling and consumption of liquor and tobacco, besides other intoxicants. But liquor contractors in the district seem not to have taken it seriously. The workers at liquor vends do not have any safety kits or protective gears on therefore, the threat of community transmission of COVID-19 looms large.

As per residents of various villages in Goniana block, drunkards start reaching liquor vends after the sunset and there is a lot of activity around these vends till late in the night.

BKU Ugrahan block secretary Sukhjivan Singh Babli said, “Village borders have been sealed by residents in the block. On the other hand, with drunkards roaming around freely and liquor contractors selling liquor without any safety measures, the threat of the spread of coronavirus looms large in the area. People can take care of their health and safety amid curfew restrictions if the government adopts a strict stance and gets these liquor vends shut on priority.”

Nehianwala police station in-charge Buta Singh said strict action would be taken if any liquor vend was found to be opened in the area.