Mysore/Mysuru: Alleging that a liquor store has been opened illegally near Siddaiahnahundi Gate in Nanjangud taluk, activists of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, urging for the closure of the liquor store, staged a protest in front of Excise Department Office at Kuvempunagar in city yesterday.

The protesters said that following the opening of the liquor store near Siddaiahnahundi Gate, which comes under Kasuvinahalli village, Kasaba hobli, Nanjangud taluk, the Gram Panchayat had decided to get the store closed, to which the Deputy Commissioner had also agreed. But the liquor store was conducting regular business which has given rise to doubts.

Though 30 days time was given to close the liquor store and the deadline also ended, the liquor store continuous to remain open and conducting business as usual, the protesters alleged and held the Excise Department responsible for it. The protesters demanded that the liquor store be shut immediately.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha General Secretary Hosakote Basavaraju, Taluk President Shiramalli Siddappa, Taluk General Secretary Hejjige Prakash, Mysuru Taluk Hon. President Naganahalli Vijayendra, Youth Wing President Mahendra Nanjangud, P. Marankaiah and Kasuvinahalli Gram Panchayat Members Channajamma, Puttaswamy, Shivananjappa, Mallanna, Mahesh, Rajappa, Doreswamy and others took part in the protest.