Queues and celebrations rise at liquor shops across Karnataka after lockdown relaxations

After nearly 40 days of no sale at liquor stores due to the lockdown, people lined up at various liquor stores to stock up on alcohol needs. From offering poojas to bursting crackers, people displayed joy.

First Published May 4, 2020, 2:18 PM IST | Last Updated May 4, 2020, 2:20 PM IST

There was no difference on caste or religion or age groups or gender, all queued up with their eyes set on alcohol which they haven’t tasted for days. People waited since early morning for shops to open up and serve them the alcohol they need.

 In Kolar's Srinivaspura Taluk, crackers were set ablaze and in Gadag, pooja was offered. At Jayamahal in Bengaluru, the queue that started near the minister’s official quarters ended hundreds of metres away near JC Nagar Police Station.

 Elderly women in Kolar turned up to stock up on liquor in tetra packs. Police and private security were deployed to ensure social distancing is followed and that no one creates any ruckus.