PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
With a large section of the local people, particularly the women, venting anger against liquor shops operating as well as proposed in several places across Nainital district like Ratighat, Mangoli and Bajun, the Member of Parliament and former Union Minister, Ajay Bhatt has empathised with the cause and written to the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressing annoyance with the proposal to open a foreign liquor outlet near the revered Kainchi Dham in Bhowali.
Demanding immediate cancelation of the proposed allotment for liquor shops in the area, he said that it would hurt the people’s religious sentiment attached to the shrine. “As the locals and the people’s representatives are opposed to such liquor stores, things should not be allowed to go further. This is a rural and peaceful area, surrounded by religious sites, villages and schools. The proposed booze outlets if they come up will definitely spoil the local environment,” he wrote in the letter.
Notably, the Kainchi Dham is a revered shrine, a spiritual sanctuary of the devotees of the seer Neem Karori Baba. They throng this haven of tranquillity from across the country all year round to pay obeisance to the Baba.
