Demanding the immediate removal of a Tasmac shop located nearby school and temple, residents of Ayyappa Nayakkanpatti, under Mannadimangalam Panchayat in the Vadipatti Panchayat Union staged a protest in front of the outlet here on Saturday.
Protesters said that Tasmac shop operates very close, about 300 meters away, to the school, bus stop, and places of worship in Ayyappa Nayakkanpatti area.
Due to that, women and school students passing through the area face constant disturbances and an unsafe environment.
The residents have been continuously raising demands that the Madurai district administration must immediately implement the Chief Minister’s order stating that ‘liquor shops should not be located near schools and places of worship,’ and remove the Tasmac shop from the area.
A. Velpandi, a CPI(M) functionary, who led the protest, condemned the officials for not taking action despite multiple complaints against the Tasmac shop.
The protesters besieged the shop with black cloths tied over their eyes and mouths.
The protesters firmly stated that their struggle would not cease until the Tasmac shop is immediately relocated to another place, keeping in mind the welfare of the public and the future of the students.
Following this, the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) held talks with the protesters.
During the talks, the RDO stated that action would be taken to relocate the shop within a week.
In response, the protesters pointed out that when they staged a similar protest 15 days ago demanding the closure of the shop, they were told that action would be taken to relocate it within 10 days.
However, it has not been closed yet. Protesters asserted that the agitation would be withdrawn only if a written agreement guaranteeing the closure was given.
Later, following the repeated talks, the protesters stated that if the shop is not closed and relocated to another place by May 31, a massive protest would definitely be organised by mobilising even more people. Following this assurance, the protest was temporarily withdrawn.