Shimla: Lakkar Bazaar residents protest liquor vend at bus stand

Residents of Lakkar Bazaar staged a protest today against the proposed opening of a liquor vend at the local bus stand by the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC). Led by councillor Saroj Thakur, the residents raised slogans against the SMC and the state government, warning of a hunger strike if the liquor shop is not relocated.

Councillor Thakur expressed strong opposition to the move, stating that the bus stand includes a rain shelter built for public convenience. “Now a liquor vend is being opened here, which could lead to law and order issues and ruin the atmosphere,” she said. Thakur also claimed that the Municipal Commissioner informed her that the government had ordered the vend’s setup within two days.

Thakur questioned whether the necessary permissions had been obtained for setting up the vend on land belonging to the Forest and Central Public Works Departments. She criticized the SMC, saying, “It’s unfortunate that development-related files are delayed for months, but the liquor vend was approved and constructed within two days.”

She further pointed out that the bus stand is a place where women and girls wait for buses even during late hours, and the presence of a liquor shop would make it unsafe. She demanded the shop be moved to a different location.

Former councillor Sanjeev Thakur also condemned the decision, highlighting that when the bus stand was shifted earlier, six shops were removed by the Forest Department, affecting livelihoods. “Now, a liquor vend is being opened without permission or consultation with the local councillor,” he said.