Protest in Majoorgaam to condemn deaths

A curfew-like situation had taken over Majoorgaam, Kantodiavaas, Gita Mandir and Behrampura areas of the city on Wednesday, as the residents protested the hooch tragedy, which has claimed the lives of more than 5o people in the last two days. All the business establishments were closed to buttress the day-long bandh.

Residents of the areas came out in the open, demanding closure of illegal breweries running in the areas. The protestors, who were out on the streets since morning, chanted slogans against the police and district administration and the local councillors.   

Tension in the area escalated after two more deaths were reported from the area. The victims, Bhupat Bhai Makwana, 35, a resident of Krishna nagar, Majoor gaam and Premjibhai Dabhi, 65, a resident of Kabirwadi, died on Wednesday morning at around 7 am and 11 am, respectively.

Residents of the area crowded the street and stopped all vehicular movement as the bodies of the two were brought from VS hospital. The protestors also tore of chief minister Narendra Modi’s posters put up in the area.

Hitendra Doria, a social activist who has been running Jai Bhim Abhilasha Trust in Kankaria for the last 12 years, said, “Residents have staged protest even earlier, demanding closure of breweries operating in the area, but no action has been taken till date.”

“We have approached the Kagdapith police a number of times for solution to our problems, but our attempts were futile. Moreover, the number of liquor den in the area has also increased after RG Patel took over as PI of Kagdapith police station,” Doria added.