India. Residents of village in Tamil Nadu demand closure of TASMAC retail outlet

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Over thirty women from Kozhiporvilai village in Kalkulam taluk thronged the Collectoate here on Monday and submitted a petition urging the government to close down TASMAC shop No. 4852 located at a junction in their village.

The women said that they were unable to go out due to the nuisance created by drunkards in the vicinity of the shop. They also said the shop was functioning near an educational institution and places of worship.

The residents, who were led by Fr. S. Babians, Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Church in Kozhiporvilai, recalled their earlier petitions submitted to the Collector.

They had staged demonstrations in front of the TASMAC shop on May 6, 2013, May 17, 2013, October 7, 2014, August 8, 2015 and December 9, 2015.

The women lamented that their repeated petitions to the district administration and series of agitations did not evoke any response.

Earlier on August 1, the women had laid siege to the Collectorate urging the same demand; however they were pacified by an official from the Excise department. He had assured them that the shop would be closed before the end of August, but there was no sign of this happening, the women said.

Similarly, over hundred residents of Attur thronged the Collectorate demanding closure of TASMAC shops in Attur junction. They were led by Theoder Sam, founder president of the All India Christian Development Sena.