Villagers unite against liquor shop near school, temples in Dharamsala

Residents of Salet Godam area in Dharamsala Assembly constituency staged a protest against the opening of a liquor shop in close proximity to a primary school, primary health centre, anganwadi centre and a local bus stop.

The agitated villagers later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, demanding immediate closure of the shop, citing threats to the village’s social and cultural environment. They also highlighted that three temples and a ration depot are located in the same vicinity.

In their memorandum, the residents warned, “If the shop is not closed, we will be forced to launch a strong agitation. The social atmosphere of the village will be ruined by the opening of the liquor shop.”

Women residents expressed particular concern, stating that visiting the anganwadi, ration depot, temple or even waiting at the bus stop would become unsafe. They alleged that neither the panchayat pradhan nor the local residents were informed and no No-Objection Certificate (NOC) was obtained from the gram panchayat before granting the liquor licence.

Supporting the agitation, BJP Dharamsala Mandal (rural) president Bhuvnesh Chaudhary claimed that the shop was opened “overnight” without consultation or permission. “The villagers are opposing this and we stand firmly with them,” he added.

Meanwhile, a delegation of villagers also met senior officials of the excise department, urging them not to allow the shop to open.