Srinagar, Oct 28 (HS): Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) president Tsering Dorjay, backing the ongoing protest against the liquor policy in Leh district of the Union Territory of Ladakh, has alleged that liquor shops are being opened in Leh by force.

Speaking to Hindusthan Samachar, he said all religious organisations in the region, particularly women, are up in arms against the policy and have been sitting on a dharna, while the BJP is looking on as a silent spectator. The BJP is silent, he said, because the administration running the UT belongs to it and it cannot speak against it.

“We do not want liquor shops in Leh. Bars are being opened here by force, and about 50 shops have been opened so far,” Dorjay said.

Women’s groups in Leh have been protesting against the liquor policy for nearly a week. They are strongly demanding that the UT administration withdraw its decision to issue new licences for bars and liquor vends.

Ladakh BJP president Tashi Gyaltson Khachu told Hindusthan Samachar that the Chief Secretary is holding talks with the protesters and that the party, too, has spoken to him. He expressed hope that a middle path would be found and said positive news could come in the next few days.

Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has also claimed that liquor shops are being forced open in villages across Ladakh. In a video statement, he said: “Liquor shops are being opened in village after village in Ladakh, near temples and schools, and the mothers of Ladakh are now being forced to take to the streets.” He said one law after another is being made that is causing distress to the people of Ladakh.

The Ladakh administration, meanwhile, has rejected Wangchuk’s claim, saying that “only one” liquor shop is operating in the whole of Ladakh. According to the administration, 50 restaurant-linked liquor retail outlets were active across Ladakh, including 38 in Leh, seven in Nubra, three in Zanskar and two in Changthang. Two beer bars were also operating in Leh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat