Moradabad Students' Protest Forces Action Against Liquor Shop

School students joined local residents in protesting against a liquor shop operating near their school, demanding its removal over concerns about its proximity to the educational institution. The students staged a sit-in outside the outlet on Tuesday and raised slogans calling for its relocation. The protest drew the attention of District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Pensiya, who reached the spot with officials and spoke to the students and residents about their concerns.

Residents said the liquor shop had been causing difficulties for students travelling to and from school and claimed they had been seeking its relocation for some time. Before Tuesday’s demonstration, women from the locality had also protested against the outlet on August 2. Following the earlier protest, residents gave the administration 15 days to take action and warned that they would return if their demand was not addressed. When the deadline passed, students joined the residents and intensified the demonstration outside the shop.

The Excise Department had earlier maintained that the liquor outlet was operating according to the applicable regulations. Officials also pointed out that the school had been established after the liquor shop, a factor cited in explaining the outlet’s legal status. Despite the explanation, residents continued to press for relocation, citing concerns about the environment around the school. During Tuesday’s protest, they also raised concerns about a fish market operating near the colony and sought its relocation.

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After reaching the protest site, District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Pensiya met the students and residents and heard their complaints. He told the students that they were the future of the nation and urged them to concentrate on their studies while assuring them that the administration would look into their concerns. Following the assurance, the students and residents ended their sit-in. However, protesters said they would organise another demonstration if the liquor shop was not removed within the 15-day period.

The Excise Department subsequently initiated action concerning the outlet. District Excise Officer Ravindra Pratap Singh said the canteen associated with the premises had been shut down and that a notice had been issued to the liquor shop licensee. According to the official, the notice directed the licensee to relocate the shop. The action followed the students’ protest and the concerns raised by residents, bringing the dispute over the outlet’s location directly to the attention of the district administration.

The protest has temporarily ended following the District Magistrate’s assurance, but residents have maintained pressure for the liquor shop to be shifted. The participation of school students added momentum to the long-running demand and prompted administrative and excise intervention. Authorities are now expected to consider the relocation issue in light of the concerns raised by the community. Protesters have made it clear that they could return to the streets if the outlet is not relocated within the stipulated 15 days.

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