Catholics to agitate on Kerala's liquor policy

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 4 (UNI) The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) today said widespread protests would be organised against the Kerala government on its liquor policy.

Alleging the Left Democratic Front government was trying to bring in a 'liquor revolution' by re-opening 1,610 toddy shops, Archbishop of Latin Catholic Archdiocese M Soosapakiam said the 'Madyavirudha Samithi' (anti-liquor movement) of the KCBC would organise a series of agitations and awareness programmes against the liquor policy.

Archdiocese Soosapakium alleged spirit was being smuggled in and sold through toddy shops.

Claiming successive governments had encouraged liquor barons as they required funds for party meetings and elections, he asked the government to empower the local bodies to decide whether liquor shops should be allowed in their area.

UNI PN GM SK RN1417