1300 Residents Pledge Support through Signature Campaign

Bambooflat, March 10: ‘Humane Touch’ organized a day long token fast from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm at Bambooflat Jetty demanding closure of Bamboo Bar at Bambooflat yesterday. About 60 members of the organization sat on a fast, which was inaugurated by K P Mohammed Younus, Ex-President, Humane Touch.

Inaugurating the Fast, Mohammed expressed shock over a recent incident in which school students were found attending school in inebriated state in Bambooflat, which has to be taken seriously. He demanded immediate cancellation of the bar license to protect the younger generation from alcoholism.

Social activists, politicians, PRI members and other prominent persons addressed the gathering and highlighted the ill-effects of alcoholism and exhorted to put all efforts to wipe out this social menace from the territory.

Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament addressing the gathering said that the Administration needs to focus on other developmental aspects rather than promoting bar culture in the Islands.

Mohd Shafique, Pramukh, Panchayat Samithi, Ferrar Gunj extended the support of PRI institutions against alcoholism and bar culture in the locality.

A P Mohammed, Editor, Sahil ki Oar said that the bar is a disgrace, which needs to be closed down as younger generation is getting addicted to this vice.

Shri Deb Kumar Bhadra, a popular blogger asserted that the Administration as well as the elected PRI members needs to prioritise their agenda of development instead of focusing on issuing bar licenses.

Zubair Ahmed, Editor, The Light of Andamans demanded amendment in the Panchayat Rules and Regulations and incorporation of approval of Gram Sabha for issuance of bar license.  He said that the power and authority should lie with the villagers to decide whether they need a bar or not.

Ms Maryam Bibi, Member Zilla Parishad, Wimberly Gunj, Shri Manickam, Ex-Pradhan, W/Gunj, Shri Adhi Narayan, Pradhan, Shore Point Panchayat, Shri Abdul Aziz, Pradhan, Stewart Gunj Panchayat, Shri G Nagendran, LJP and many prominent persons addressed the gathering.  A documentary film on alcoholism was also screened.

Shri M K Abdul Gafoor, President Humane Touch made the concluding remarks and announced that the memorandum alongwith the signatures of the residents will be submitted to the appropriate authorities demanding cancellation of the license of Bamboo Bar.

About 1300 residents of Bambooflat and adjoining areas pledged their support by putting their signature in a memorandum demanding closure of the bar.