A prolonged struggle by residents of Ambur town in Tirupattur against three Tasmac outlets on Ambur – Pernambut Highway Road led to the closure of these outlets on Tuesday after court intervention.

Residents said that the stretch had three Tasmac outlets for many years that resulted in public nuisance every day, especially during weekends, when daily wage labourers and agricultural workers get their weekly salary in the village. “All three Tasmac outlets are located near each other and less than 500 metres from the Government Higher Secondary School. Students, especially girls, are scared to use the stretch to go to school due to the outlets,” said M. Ram Srinivasan, a resident.

Many times, drunk people were found lying on the carriageway of the village road, affecting traffic movement. . Drunk people also engaged in petty fights. After several agitations and protests, residents led by Mr. Srinivasan filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at Madras High Court demanding the permanent relocation of these outlets. Subsequently, the Court directed the regional head of Tasmac in Vellore to relocate the outlets in one month, which ends on July 24. Based on Court’s directions, all three outlets on the stretch were sealed.

Tasmac officials said that at present, around 90 Tasmac outlets are being run in the district. Most of the big towns like Jolarpet, Tirupattur, Natrampalli, Ambur and Vaniyambadi have at least 10 outlets each.