Members of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), supported by the activists of CITU and a few women organisations staged a protest on Saturday demanding that the Andhra Pradesh government immediately withdraw its decision to set up shacks and the sale of liquor along the Visakhapatnam coast.AIDWA Visakhapatnam district president R.N. Madhavi, alleged that the decision as anti-women and accused the government of attempting to transform beaches into centres for alcohol consumption.She said that such a policy would encourage alcohol consumption among youth and increase social problems linked to liquor abuse, Pointing out the State is already witnessing a rise in crimes, domestic violence, sexual assaults and road accidents linked to alcohol consumption.Instead of controlling liquor sales, they alleged, the government is expanding access to alcohol and encouraging addiction among the public, Ms. Madhavi said.CITU leader P. Mani questioned whether women, students and families would be able to freely and safely visit the Visakhapatnam beach if liquor sales were permitted from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as proposed. The leaders argued that tourism development should not come at the cost of public safety and women’s freedom.The protestors also criticised local elected representatives for remaining silent on the issue and accused the ruling government of adopting a contradictory stance on alcohol policy. Published - June 06, 2026 07:44 pm IST