Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, May 21: With the implementation of Hon’ble Supreme Courts Order to close down bars and liquor outlets in 210 Mtrs radius of the State and National Highways most of the Islands in Andaman and Nicobar are dry on liquor.
Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island is the only place where ANIDCO operated a Wine and Liquor Shop in the Nicobar District is also facing the grunt of the Supreme Court’s order. While the ANIDCO is planning to shift its liquor outlet to a new location the residents of Campbell Bay, specially the female residents, are gearing up to protest against the liquor outlet.
Campbell Bay has had public imposed liquor ban before the last Panchayati Raj Elections which did not succeed because the residents up for fun were involved in consuming local brewed liquor and the Island saw a significant increase in the illegal breweries operating.
The same old days are back again for the residents of Campbell Bay, illegally brewed local liquor is back again and for those who are hesitant in consuming the local brew the liquor quota of defence forces comes handy. Officials of the Defence forces specially those of Indian Coast Guard are kind enough to share their monthly quota of liquor for a nominal amount of Rs. 1500-2000/-per 750 ML IMFL, which the residents are happy to buy.
Meanwhile the youths of Great Nicobar Islands have also suggested the Deputy Commissioner to declare the ANIDCO Wine and Liquor Outlet at Campbell Bay (which is yet to open) as a completely cashless liquor outlet. The youngsters in Campbell Bay feel that declaring the outlet as a completely cashless outlet will not only reduce the consumption of Alcohol in Great Nicobar but will also promote Cashless transaction and curb the sale of alcohol illegally.
While speaking to Andaman Sheekha Mr. N Ajeet Goldie a young business man and a local resident of Great Nicobar said that “the people of Great Nicobar does not have a problem with the ANIDCO’s Liquor Outlet but the problem that these residents face is that the illegal bars are operating everywhere in Campbell Bay. These Illegal bars or you can call them petty shops sell liquor to people on credit for the whole month in loose pegs and then take all their salary away on their salary day. These illegal bars or liquor shops are nonexistent today but once the ANIDCO’s Liquor shop starts their business will flourish again. So moving towards a completely cashless Liquor Outlet by ANIDCO will curb the illegal sale of alcohol to these illegal bar or petty shop operators selling liquor.”
All in all Campbell Bay is dry but still high and the police under the leadership of SP of the District and SHO PS Campbell Bay is doing commendable job but more needs to be done to stop the illegal brewing of local liquor. Infact the SHO Campbell Bay who is very strict to bootlegging should be given more support to detect and destroy local brew hubs.
The residents of the beautiful Great Nicobar also need to stop risking their lives over temporary high that these local brew provides. The uncontrolled brewing and selling of local made Alcohol has taken several lives countrywide and is a challenge to our society.
