'Bandh' observed in Diu over SC's highway liquor ban order

The Union Territory of Diu today observed a 'bandh' against the Supreme Court order banning the sale of liquor along highways.
The call for bandh was given by the shopkeepers, hotel and restaurant owners, liquor shop and bar owners under the banner of "Diu District Jagrut Janta". They demanded that the national highway passing through Diu should be called a 'major district road'.
The organisers claimed that the bandh was successful as most of the commercial establishments in the Union Territory remained shut.
The agitators also took out a large rally till Collector Office and handed over a memorandum, urging the authorities to declare that national highway as 'major district road', which starts from Ghoghla check post and ends at Tad check post in Diu.

The Supreme Court has imposed a total ban on liquor shops and bars situated within 500 meters of national or state highways from April 1. The ban is also applicable to hotels and restaurants serving liquor.
In their representation, the local residents urged Collector P S Jani to take urgent steps to save the livelihood of thousands of people, who are dependent on tourism industry.

"As the administration has put this road in the category of national highways, several pepople with shops, hotels and other properties will have to face huge losses. If no amicable solution comes, we will give a call for indefinite shutdown of Diu," the agitators said.

Diu Collector P S Jani said the issue raised by the locals was valid and announced to take it up with higher authorities.
"This 11.5 km of stretch was declared a national highway in 2014. Hence, we have cancelled liquor permits as per the SC order. Being a national highway, we may have to acquire 40 meters of land from both the ends of the highway as per the rules," Jani said.
"The concern raised by locals is valid, as they may have to lose their shops, houses and others properties. We will draw the attention of higher authorities to denotify this road," Jani told reporters after holding a meeting with the agitators.

Following the Supreme Court directive, the Excise department of Daman and Diu has cancelled licenses of 100 bars and liquor shops in Diu and 58 such establishments in Daman, an official said.
Since neighbouring Gujarat is a 'dry state', Diu and Daman attracts large number of tourists.