JOIN USMembers of Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) staged a protest in front of the Excise office in the town on Monday, demanding ban on storage and sale of liquor in dalit colonies.
They said the government should withdraw its order which allowed storage and sale of liquor as it has adversely affected the dalit community.
DSS convenor K C Rajakant said: “Youth are increasingly becoming addicted to alcohol due to easy access to it at home and in the village. Misusing the government’s permission to store the liquor, illicit liquor is being sold in the village.”
Illegal sale of liquor at Mallur, Muttur, Kachahalli, Chikkadasarahalli, Tummanahalli, Doddatekahalli, Abludu, Sugatur, Narayanadasarahalli and Sonaganahalli should be stopped immediately, he said.
He also demanded ex-gratia for the families of men who died after consuming spurious liquor at Dibburhalli.
They submitted a memorandum to Chandrashekhar, the district excise commissioner, who promised to address the issues within a week.
DSS leaders C M Muniyappa, Venkatesh, Lakshminarayana and others were present on the occasion.
DSS district unit convenor C M Muniyappa told media that nine litres of beer and 4.6 litres of whisky can be stored as per the government rules. The permission for storage of liquor should be withdrawn as illegal storage and sale of liquor is rampant across the taluk.
DSS leader Chowdasandra Lakshminarayana said the Samiti would intensify the protest if the government does not withdraw its order.