Belthangady: The aggressive agitation by the locals and students for the closure of an illegally run liquor shop on government land has been shut finally here at Kallugudde Pete in Nujibaltila village limits on September 25.

The locals along with students have been agitating from September 11 demanding the closure of liquor shop. The shop was run despite opposition and the protesters also took excise officials to task for not cancelling its license.

On September 20, during Minister Ramalinga Reddy’s visit, Nujibalthila Gram Panchayat President Sadananda Gowda, Puttur Taluk Panchayat member Ganesh Kaikure and Kadaba Zilla Panchayat member P P Vargesh had submitted a memorandum urging action.

The minister who learnt about the liquor shop run in a encroached government land, directed excise officials to shut it down. Following minister’s order, the shop has been finally closed by excise official Muralidhar with locals and students breathing a sigh of relief.