Mysore/Mysuru: Enraged over the wine store functioning despite opposition from villagers at Rammanahalli, local villagers including women staged a protest in front of the wine store yesterday and were successful in closing down the wine store yesterday.

The villagers had got the wine store closed a couple of days ago at the village, but the wine store owner under Police protection had opened the wine store yesterday and was conducting business which enraged the villagers.

The irate villagers, who assembled in front of the wine store, staged a protest and got the wine store closed again.

The villagers alleged that the wine store, Ugranarasimha Wine Store, has been functioning in the village since 10 years which had resulted in many men getting addicted to liquor and spending their hard earned money on it. They also alleged that the liquor sold at the wine store was not of good quality and many had taken ill after consuming the liquor sold at this wine store while some had died. The protesting women folk said that their families were in dire straits because of                     the wine store.

The villagers also alleged that the wine store was located on the main road and many under the influence of alcohol were behaving indecently with the womenfolk and were indulging in eve teasing.

They further said that as the wine store is situated on the main road, frequent accidents were taking place and alleged that the waste generated at the wine store was being discarded unscientifically which was causing pollution. 

Alleging that though several complaints were given to the officials concerned through the Gram Panchayat, Gram Panchayat President and members said that no action was taken by anyone in this regard and raised slogans in support of their demand along with the villagers. They claimed that the wine shop and bar in the village was a nuisance with women and school going children feeling unsafe.  

Mysuru South Rural Police and Excise Department officials, who rushed to the spot tried to pacify the villagers but in vain. The villagers demanded the wine store be shifted elsewhere following which the wine store staff downed the shutters and left from the spot.