Sec 48 shopkeepers protest against opening of liquor vends in motor market

Chandigarh: The shopkeepers of Sector 48 motor market staged a protest against opening of liquor vends in the market on Saturday. Shopkeepers blocked the roads for around two hours and called off the protest after police intervention. They are demanding to shift the vends from the market area to some other places.
Karan Singh, a shopkeeper said that they were aware that two booths were allotted for liquor vends. They came to know that the two booths have been allotted for liquor vends to open when they saw some workers cleaning up the booths. Upon asking, the shopkeepers came to know that the liquor vends will be opening shortly in the market. Soon, all shopkeepers of the motor market gathered and opposed the opening of liquor vends in the sector. Later, they sat on the road in front of the market and blocked the road.
After receiving the information, Sector 49 police reached the spot and told the shopkeepers to call off the protest. Later, the shopkeepers met BJP leaders in their office in Sector 33 and apprised them about the allotment of liquor vends in the market. Shopkeepers said that it is the first time that any liquor vend has been allotted in the motor market.
Meantime, residents of Khuda Lahora village gathered in hundreds and protested against the allotment of liquor vend near the bus stop and bank. Gurminder Singh, resident of Khuda Lahora said they had met the owner of shop who had rented it out to a liquor vend owner, around four days ago and requested him to not to allot the same to a liquor vendor. The shop owner had promised the locals that he would not give his shop to a liquor vendor, however, on Saturday, the liquor shop was opened. Anguished upon seeing the liquor shop operating in the area, residents staged a protest against the shop owner. Cops from Sector 11 police station reached the spot and asked them to submit a complaint against the vend. Cops said their complaint will be forwarded to the excise and taxation department. On the assurance of the cops, residents called off the protest.