Traders protest proposal to open liquor shops in Kashmir Valley

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 22

The All Traders and Transporters Joint Coordination Committee (ATTJCC) on Monday held a protest against the proposal to open liquor shops in Kashmir Valley. 

Carrying banners and raising slogans, the ATTJCC members protested at Batmaloo area of the city.

“We will protest any move to open liquor shops in Kashmir. The government should completely drop the idea to open liquor shops here,” said a protester. 

The proposal has already drawn sharp criticism from the regional political parties and religious groups of the Valley. 

Pertinently, the Excise Department had identified 67 locations for liquor sale and sought necessary permission to proceed further in the matter.

However, the finance department later clarified that no decision will be taken without participation of the stakeholders.

The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of all religious sects and socio-religious organisations of the Valley, had warned against opening liquor vends across Kashmir.

It had urged the government to “immediately” withdraw the order.

The Excise Department, as per an order dated June 26, 2020, has identified 183 new locations — 116 in Jammu and 67 in Kashmir Valley — for the sale of liquor.

Since 1991, in Kashmir, the militant groups had declared a blanket ban on the sale of liquor and its consumption.