SRINAGAR: Slamming the government for mulling to open liquor sale points at different places across J&K, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) on Sunday pledged not to allow any such decisions which are bound to endure an onslaught on Kashmir’s cultural ethos.
In a statement issued here, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, former legislator and senior leader of the party observed that the government proposal to open liquor shops at around 183 newly identified locations in J&K including 67 in Kashmir valley is totally unacceptable as the decision is bound to have disastrous consequences for peace in the region.
“Such decisions are highly condemnable. Kashmir is a land of sufis and saints and such obnoxious proposals are mooted to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere,” Manhas said, adding that such government decisions will spread immorality among the local youth, who are already fighting against the drug menace.
The JKAP leader said the pretext of generating much-needed revenue from liquor business in the backdrop of economic crisis brought about by COVID-19 does not hold water as J&K is one of the progressive States in the country.
“There are other States like Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram and Lawkshdeep which are coping with the lockdown despite a ban on liquor sale and consumption. Why to choose predominantly Muslim areas of Kashmir Valley for opening large scale liquor sale points when there is no such requirement?” he asked.
Manhas said that instead of surveying new locations for opening of wine shops in Kashmir valley, the government should have utilized its time and resources on assessing the basic needs of families in J&K who are in dire need of food and ration due to the crippling lockdown.
