Residents of a village in Theni submitted a petition to district authorities alleging that an establishment operating under the guise of a hotel near a local temple had become a hub for the sale of illicit liquor, ganja and other intoxicating substances, creating fear and insecurity among women and children in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers, a resident identified as Punitha said the establishment, run by a man named Jayaraman, was officially presented as a hotel but was widely known among locals as a place where liquor and other intoxicants were sold. She alleged that the area around the shop was constantly crowded with parked motorcycles and autorickshaws and that large numbers of people from surrounding villages frequented the location to consume alcohol.
According to the residents, women were unable to visit the nearby temple without being accompanied by male family members due to safety concerns. They alleged that intoxicated individuals often gathered near the temple premises, used abusive language and created a nuisance. Villagers also expressed concern about the safety of schoolchildren, stating that they lived in constant fear while sending their children to school.
The petitioners further alleged that aggressive dogs were being kept at the premises and that drunken individuals frequently slept around the temple area. They stated that thefts had occurred at the temple on at least two occasions and that complaints had been lodged with the police.
According to the residents, police intervention would temporarily restore order for a week or ten days, but the alleged illegal activities would resume shortly thereafter. Villagers stated that whenever they questioned the parking of vehicles or other disturbances caused by visitors to the shop, they were subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation.
Residents also alleged that the operators of the establishment had gradually expanded their presence in the area over the past six years and had encroached upon surrounding land. They stated that the business had started as a small shop but had since grown significantly, with large portions of the surrounding area allegedly being occupied unlawfully.
The villagers stated that those operating the establishment were not originally from the village and had no local connection. They alleged that the shop was involved in the sale of liquor, ganja and various other intoxicating substances. According to them, the social impact had been severe, with many men in the village allegedly becoming addicted to alcohol and other substances. They stated that several men had died due to excessive drinking and that many young men had fallen prey to addiction, leaving a predominantly elderly population behind.
Residents further alleged that the owner had previously worked as a supplier at a liquor outlet and had since accumulated substantial assets. They urged the Chief Minister and district administration to investigate the matter and take action.
The villagers stated that they had repeatedly approached the Collector’s office and submitted multiple petitions regarding the issue. However, they alleged that any official action taken had only been temporary and that the activities would resume within a few months.
Demanding immediate intervention, the residents called for legal action against those involved and the removal of the allegedly illegal establishment. They warned that if authorities failed to act, villagers would launch protests and collectively surrender their ration cards at the Collector’s office as a mark of protest.
The petitioners stated that many children in the village were becoming vulnerable to substance abuse and stressed that urgent action was required to protect future generations. They appealed to the Chief Minister and the District Collector to ensure that women and children could move about safely and peacefully in the village.
The residents said they were daily wage labourers earning around ₹300 a day and had approached the authorities in the hope of securing justice and restoring normalcy to their village.
தேனி அருகே உள்ள கிராமத்தில் 24 மணி நேரமும் கள்ளச் சந்தையில் மது,கஞ்சா விற்பனை – ஊர் பொதுமக்கள் மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்தில் புகார்..!!#Theni #Liquor #TASMAC #DistrictCollector #People #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/1mqhUcP0QF
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 1, 2026
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