Team Herald
VALPOI: The residents of Surla, Sattari on Sunday passed a resolution to make the village alcohol-free by shutting down all liquor bars including the one near the Government High School.
The decision was taken at a mega meeting held in the village temple hall, which was attended by nearly 200 villagers.
“We held a huge meeting regarding the issue of bars and restaurants in the village. We have passed a resolution to close down all 13 bars in our village. Now, we will submit the resolution and memorandum signed by over 80 villagers to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Health Minister, local MLA and to North Goa Collector, informed Suryakant Gaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch.
For the past 15 years, the people from Belgaum and other parts of Karnataka have been visiting the village especially for alcohol consumption. After consuming alcohol, they create nuisance by blocking the village road, abuse the women by using filthy words, resort to eve-teasing and argue and fight with the locals, alleged Surla villagers.
“Karnataka locals visit in our village during weekend and on public holidays to consume alcohol. After getting drunk, they use filthy words, tease us and stop us by blocking the village road. We demand that the Government close down all liquor bars in Surla village, Poonam Gaonkar, a resident demanded.
Another villager Gayatri Gaonkar alleged that the people from Karnataka people after getting drunk in the bars and restaurants in the village, enter their houses and misbehave with the women. We want the government to initiate action against such people.
Deelip Gaonkar, another local claimed that there is no local police patrolling in their village despite several complaints.
