Residents in Chengathurai in the city outskirts today staged a dharna demanding immediate closure of newly opened Government-run TASMAC liquor outlet in the area, even as a habitual drunkard died owing to over consumption of liquor.

The government opened the outlet on Septenmber 24, drawing the ire of the residents who said that many had taken to the bottle resulting in family problems.

With the agitation against the shop growing, a group of over 20 people submitted a memorandum recently to the District Collector against any move to close the outlet as there was none in the vicinity.

One of them, Arumugam, who had allegedly consumed too much liquor, swooned late last night. Even before the ambulance reached the spot, Arumugam breathed his last, police said. Residents allege the hands of some ‘vested interests’ and politicians in opening the outlet and also instigating people to petition against closing or shifting the shop. People claim that easy availability of liquor was cause for Armugam’s over drinking, police said.