Residents protest against liquor shop, seek withdrawal of cases

Tribune News Service

Panipat, April 27

Enraged over the opening of a liquor shop and registration of criminal cases against BJP-supported municipal councillor (MC) along with women, residents of various colonies and shopkeepers protested and staged a dharna today at Hari Singh chowk for more than three hours. 

Residents of Jawa Colony, Deena Nath colony, Hari Singh Colony, Vijay Nagar, Moti Ram colony and Billu colony under Ward No.5, today gathered at Hari Nagar chowk and started protest. The angry residents raised slogans against the BJP-led state government and the police for registering criminal cases against them. 

The protesters alleged that they were protesting peacefully against the opening of liquor shop in residential area and the police had registered cases on the false complaint of liquor contractor. 

Shopkeepers of the area also closed their shops for more than two hours in support of the protesting residents. 

They were demanding the withdrawal of the cases registered against them and MC Jai Kumar. They also warned that they would not allow liquor shop in the residential area at any cost. 

Earlier, the police had booked Jai Kumar, MC of Ward No.5, along with women residents under various sections of the IPC and arrested 13 persons, including 11 women, on Monday. 

Twelve of the arrested were released on bail yesterday while Jai Kumar was still under judicial custody at Karnal Jail.