BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 23rd March 2024: A new liquor counter, set to open on the side of the national highway in the Chanpur area under the Khairpur assembly constituency, has sparked significant controversy this Saturday. The licensee, Tapan Ghosh, reportedly paid a hefty sum for the license, causing a stir among the local populace.
As the final preparations were underway, with a large signboard announcing the imminent opening, local men and women united in protest in front of the counter. The protest escalated to the point where locals entered the liquor counter and began vandalizing it.
The police were alerted and arrived on the scene, arresting four individuals. They managed to bring the situation under control, assuring the locals that their concerns were being heard. It is believed that the license for the liquor counter was obtained through a payment of 30 to 35 lakh rupees.
Local public representatives have been drawn into the issue. Residents argue that the opening of such liquor counters contradicts the government’s slogan of a drug-free Tripura. They fear that the youth of the area will be more susceptible to drug addiction, undermining the ‘Nesha Mukta Tripura’ initiative.
Many households in the area are already grappling with the effects of addiction. Some locals have taken matters into their own hands due to perceived inaction from the administration. While there is currently no overt tension, the atmosphere remains charged.
The local MLA, Ratan Chakraborty, is among those who have been made aware of the situation. However, locals feel that their concerns are being ignored, likening the situation to the proverb, “Thakur Ghore Ke? Ami Kola Khai Ni” (Who is in Tagore’s house, I did not eat banana).
Residents are calling for immediate action from the Chief Minister and the MLA to close the counter, citing the presence of Anganwadi Centers and Health Centers in the area. They fear an increase in anti-social activities if the counter is allowed to operate. The situation remains tense as locals grapple with the prospect of a liquor counter in their area.
