Residents of several villages in Ri-Bhoi came out in force today to oppose the opening of a new wine shop, necessitating the deployment of police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel to keep control of the law and order situation.
The wine shop was constructed close to National Highway 6 near Umrangksai and Lumbyrhing villages. The residents, including traditional headmen, of these villages opposed the location of the liquor shop and forced it to close prematurely.
However, the owner had gotten a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the village elders of Pahammardoloi, which, the protestors said, claims jurisdiction over the area where the shop was built.
Due to the large gathering of people protesting the opening of the liquor store, police and CRPF were deployed. Prima facie, it appears that the gathering was also in violation of Covid-19 protocols.
The locals are against the wine shop as they fear that the easy access to alcohol will harm the future of the youth of the area.
Headman of Umrangksai village, Donbok Kharshandi, assistant headman of Lumbyrging, Ban Khongdup, and headman of Nongkhrah village, Celestine Syngkli, assured that the Dorbar Shnongs will not allow this wine shop to open.
