Port Blair, May 23: Humane Touch, an NGO, which is working against alcoholism in these Islands, has urged the Administration to withdraw the police cases filed against the Pradhan and the villagers for damaging the public property.
Recently, while the ANIIDCO wine shop at Subhashgram in Diglipur was shifted to a new location, people of the village rightly opposed.
The Pradhan and Public representatives had raised this issue before the District Administration.
Against the public opinion, ANIIDCO and the District Administration turned a blind eye to the demands and genuine protests of the local population.
Despite many peaceful representations by the villagers, led by the Pradhan of Subhashgram, the ANIIDCO outlet was being opened. This has outraged the sentiments of the people and a spontaneous reaction was seen. The Pradhan and some villagers reportedly broke some bottles alcohol of ANIIDCO, against which the Administration later filed a police case.
In a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the President of Humane Touch said that any act of violence can’t be condoned but the people of these islands see these times as a watershed moment in the history of our islands, where the future generations can be rescued from the vile of alcoholism and tobacco.
“It is our humble request to see the actions of the villagers of Subhashgram in this perspective,” N.Abdul Aziz said in his letter.
Praising the recent decision of Lt. Governor regarding banning of tobacco products and pro-active action against alcoholism Mr. Aziz added that the decision of the A&N Administration to stop issuing licenses to new bars and outlets, got a shot in the arm by the Supreme Court order banning the sale of liquor through bars and outlets near the highways. This order could not have come at a more opportune moment. It has put brakes into the mushrooming of bars and liquor outlets in our islands, in the garb of tourism promotion.
“You have been vocal at many platforms against the evil effects of alcoholism and the Directorate of Prohibition was conceptualized on the theme of a society free from the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The people of our islands see a ray of hope in these decisions. It is observed that the good intentions of the Supreme Court and the A&N Administration are being tweaked by a handful of officials. The voice of the masses is not heard by them. Instead of closing the liquor outlets, ANIIDCO is shifting them to new locations, in total variance with the spirit of the orders issued by the Administration,” the president of Humane Touch said in his letter to the Lt. Governor.
