Virajpet: If Kerala’s alcohol-free in 10 years policy has proved to be a boon for Karnataka in the form of increased excise revenue, it has brought law and order problem to border areas of Kodagu as tipplers enter Karnataka to down a couple of pegs and create a scene, providing free entertainment to people residing in those border towns.
The liquor ban in the neighbouring State has also pushed up instances of smuggling liquor from Karnataka to Kerala, where they are sold at premium prices. Places like Kutta, Srimangala, Virajpet, Tholpetty, Makutta and Perumbadi are seeing a huge movement of tipplers and the bars are witnessing an increase in the demand for liquor by at least 40 per cent.
