Curb liquor purchase by youngsters

PUDUCHERRY: BJP state secretary R V Saminathan, on Wednesday, suggested that the Puducherry government consider bringing in restrictions on purchase of liquor by those below the age of 25, along the lines of the Maharashtra government’s rules.The BJP leader said such restrictions would deter the youth from committing crimes under the influence of liquor, which has been on the rise in the Union Territory in recent times.He said most of the youth took to crime to find money for buying liquor and their criminal acts in this regard were planned in bars. The BJP leader pointed out that the Maharashtra government  last year made it illegal for anyone below the age of 25 to consume or purchase alcohol and this move was widely welcomed by all.Charging that murders, chain-snatching and house-breaking had increased since the present government took over, Saminathan urged  the chief minister to give a free hand to the police to act independently.He alleged that the criminals had the backing of some political party leaders and the police were hesitant to take any action against the criminals.Saminathan urged the CM to fill up the vacancies in the police department and appoint one woman police PRO in main police stations.