As protests continue against restobars over youth’s murder in Puducherry, officials take steps to streamline functioning of the outlets

Even as protests continue on the fatal assault of a college student last week at a restobar in Puducherry, the Police and Excise departments are taking steps to streamline functioning of such liquor outlets to ensure that they comply with permit rules. 

After the Congress party hit the streets immediately after the murder incident was reported, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Thursday staged a protest near the District Collectorate demanding cancellation of all permits given to run restobars in the Union Territory. 

The Principal Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and social organisations have issued statements slamming the government on the restobar issue. 

Moshik Shanmugapriyan, 22, was killed and his friend Shajan, injured in a scuffle with the owner and bouncers of a restobar situated on Mission Street during a birthday party hosted on the wee hours of August 10. Around six persons, including the owner of the restobar were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. 

Opposition parties were quick to seize the opportunity to attack the government as the murder occurred much beyond the prescribed closure time of the restobars in Puducherry. Residents in Boulevard and other parts of the town have been complaining for a long time about violations by such liquor outlets, especially during weekends. 

“The Opposition parties obviously will try to take mileage though all parties, while they were part of the government, have promoted the liquor industry. Nevertheless, the violations by the restobars have been on the rise with some of them functioning till 3 a.m. during certain weekends. We have informed the authorities on multiple occasions about the violations,” said a trader on Mission Street. 

In the Mission Street itself, there are more than five restobars, some of them in close proximities. Scuffle with bouncers and fellow customers have happened many times in the past, he said.

“Hundreds of people reside in the area. Sometimes, late-night celebrations happen outside the bars too creating a lot of disturbance for us. The police are aware of such violations,” said a resident adjacent to Mission Street.

Vikranth Raja, Secretary, Excise said that steps were being taken to streamline the functioning of such ventures. The Excise department has temporarily suspended permits of 13 restobars. “We have decided to strengthen squads in the department to monitor the functioning of all liquor outlets. We will ensure that they keep up the time schedule and follow the norms. The managements of the restobars will not be allowed to take law into their hands. If there are complaints about customer behaviour, due process of law has to be followed,” he told The Hindu.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Law and Order, R. Kalaivanan said beat officers have been directed to closely monitor the functioning of liquor outlets, especially on weekends. “In coordination with the Excise department, we plan to call a meeting of restobar owners to enforce permit rules more effectively. We will not allow any highhandedness of bouncers. The process of law has to be followed by everyone,” he added.