Tension gripped the outskirts of Dhubri town this week as a wave of local anger hit the streets. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, hundreds of residents in the Khalilpur area staged a massive demonstration. Their primary grievance involves the opening of an Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlet in their neighborhood. The presence of this relocated liquor shop near a temple and school has triggered fears of social decay and safety risks for children.
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Violation of Statutory Distance Norms
The controversy began when a liquor license holder, Shambhu Barman, shifted his decade-old business. He moved the outlet from Asharikandi village to a new site on Ramakrishna Mission Road. This new location falls under the Jhagrapar Gram Panchayat. However, local residents claim the move violates strict state excise regulations.
Under current Assam excise laws, a liquor shop must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from educational institutions and places of worship. Protesters point out that the relocated liquor shop near a temple is situated in a densely populated zone. Therefore, they argue that the Excise Department granted the relocation approval without proper ground verification. “We will not tolerate this violation,” one protester stated. “Our children and devotees should not be exposed to this environment.”
Residents Gherao the Khalilpur Outlet
The situation escalated quickly as the crowd gathered at the shop’s entrance. Men and women from the Khalilpur locality gheraoed the building, effectively forcing its operations to stop. They raised slogans demanding the immediate cancellation of the license. The agitators also issued a stern warning to the owner. They declared that they would rather face legal action than allow the shop to function in their residential area.
Residents expressed deep concerns over the potential for public nuisance. They believe that a relocated liquor shop near a temple will attract rowdy elements to a peaceful neighborhood. Furthermore, women in the area have raised alarms regarding their safety during evening hours. They fear that the presence of the outlet will lead to increased cases of public intoxication and harassment near the local school.
Key Reasons for the Protest:
- Statutory Violations: The shop allegedly sits within the 100-meter restricted zone of a temple and a school.
- Proximity to Institutions: The Khalilpur area is home to multiple colleges, monasteries, and private healthcare centers.
- Public Safety: Parents are worried about the negative influence on students attending nearby schools.
- Residential Zone: Locals argue that a commercial liquor hub has no place in a high-density living area.
Questions Raised Over Excise Department’s Role
The relocated liquor shop near a temple has also sparked a debate about administrative accountability. Protesters are asking how the relocation was sanctioned in the first place. They claim that the Jhagrapar Gram Panchayat is a “sensitive” area due to the nearby Dhubri Medical College and Hospital.
Consequently, the locals have called for a high-level inquiry into the granting of this specific license. They suspect that the physical distance between the shop and the religious site was misrepresented during the application process. Until a formal review is conducted, the residents of Khalilpur have vowed to keep the shop shut through continuous picketing.
A History of Liquor Protests in Dhubri
This is not the first time Dhubri has seen such an agitation. In recent years, the district has witnessed several student-led protests against the sale of foreign alcohol. In previous instances, demonstrations in areas like Chapar and Salkocha even led to the destruction of outlets.
Because of this volatile history, the district administration is being urged to act quickly. The relocated liquor shop near a temple has the potential to become a larger law-and-order issue if ignored. Currently, the local police are monitoring the situation to prevent any communal or social flare-ups. However, the residents remain steadfast in their demand for a total relocation.
Conclusion: The Path Toward Resolution
As of Wednesday, the Khalilpur area remains tense. The shop remains closed under public pressure, and the licensee, Shambhu Barman, has been warned not to attempt a reopening. The state government is currently focusing on “Nari Shakti” and community-led growth. Therefore, an unpopular liquor shop in a residential area contradicts the current political narrative.
Ultimately, the resolution depends on the Excise Department’s next move. If they find that the relocated liquor shop near a temple indeed flouts distance norms, the license must be revoked. For the people of Dhubri, this protest is about protecting their social fabric and the future of their children. They hope that the administration will listen to their voices and restore the sanctity of their neighborhood.
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