Relocation of TASMAC outlets by the authorities into busy neighborhoods has been facing stiff opposition from the protestors. Over 158 TASMAC outlets abetting state and national highways, which have been closed down in Coimbatore district following the Supreme Court order. The authorities are trying the best to relocate these closed shop in residential areas.
Two protests were witnessed in two places in the city condemning such a move. Supported by opposition parties including DMK, Congress, and the Communists protestors laid siege to a planned TASMAC outlet in Savitri Nagar.
“An old TASMAC outlet in Olympus area had been closed down recently, but the authorities want to shift it to Savithri Nagar, which we oppose tooth and nail, as schools and temples are situated in the area,” one of the protestors said.
Police rushed to the spot and h removed the protesters who laid siege to the proposed TASMAC shop. Earlier the protesters have submitted a petition to district collector TN Hariharan to give up efforts for setting up of a TASMAC outlet in Savithri Nagar. The VCK cadres have symbolically sent a coffin to Government to register their protest against opening and relocating TASMAC outlets into busy areas of the town.
In a similar incident protestors led by Maheshwari, BJP State Women's wing Secretary laid siege to TASMAC outlet in Peelamedu (Rottikadai ground). The Protestors have symbolically sent sarees and bangles to the Government to show their condemnation of relocation of TASMAC outlets.
Such parts of protests are reported from all parts of Tamilnadu. The people are fed up with the Government attitude to relocate TASMAC outlets in a bid to fill the Government coffers. Over 3250 TASMAC outlets out of 5700 have been closed from April 1 following the Supreme Court Directive.