TURA: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi has clarified on the news report which alleged the spurt in crime in Tikrikilla area were due to liquor stores belonging to a local headman.
According to Bakshi, one of the said wine stores belonging to one Nidharson A Sangma is located at a distance of 220 metres and 480 metres from Ghaguapara Baptist Church and Roman Catholic Church respectively, while the distance to Don Bosco Higher Secondary School and Kristo Jyothi School is 480 metres and 780 metres respectively.
Another wine store belonging to one Rajesh M Sangma is located at a distance of 240 metres and 460 metres from Ghaguapara Baptist Church and Roman Catholic Church respectively, while its distance from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School and Kristo Jyothi School is 460 metres and 760 metres.
As per the distances, Bakshi said that the two wine stores are not in violation of any rules and adhering to the amended rule 183 of the Meghalaya Excise Act.
Earlier, the two wine stores were in operation at Tikrikilla Market area but after the High Court issued new guidelines, they were closed down with effect from April 1, 2016. They were then granted relocation to the present site in an order issued on May 5, 2016 after the owners applied for the same.
The relocation of the two wine stores was strongly opposed by villagers who claimed that their presence had resulted in the rise in crime in the area. They had also accused one of the owners, Rajesh M Sangma, who is also the local headman of refusing to sign official documents of villagers.