Thiruvananthapuram: Liquor shops in the state are witnessing a surge in violent incidents, with women employees becoming frequent targets of aggression from intoxicated individuals. Arguments start with trivial matters, escalate into dangerous confrontations, and lead to incidents such as shootings and bombings.
In an incident last June, a beverage outlet in Ravipuram, Ernakulam, faced a petrol bomb attack, resulting from a dispute over the purchase of alcohol. Simultaneously, a group of four men threatened liquor store employees in Thrissur’s Poothole area with guns for not giving alcohol after the designated sale hours. At the Muvattupuzha outlet, two employees were attacked by some drunken individuals who attempted to set the shop on fire, all in pursuit of obtaining alcohol.
Over the past year, more than 50 cases of violence in bars and liquor shops have been registered across the state. Employees, particularly women, are working under constant fear for their lives due to the escalating aggression from drunkards. Disturbed by the continuous violence, employees are demanding fast interventions from the authorities to ensure their safety.
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