A notice board put up by the fishermen panchayatdars of Vizhunthamavadi village in Nappattinam district announcing the ban on youths drinking alcohol.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A fishing community in a Nagapattinam village has imposed a blanket ban on alcohol consumption by its unmarried youths and decided to penalise others who stir up trouble after getting drunk.
In an attempt to check alcoholism among its youth, the fishing community of Vizhunthamavadi village in Nagapattinam district has barred unmarried youths from drinking. Those violating the ban would be liable to pay a fine of ₹5,000, the fishermen panchayatdars have announced.
Married persons who create a ruckus either at home or in public places upon getting drunk would also have to shell out a penalty of ₹5,000 when they come to the village, according to a notice board put up at the fishing hamlet.
“Consumption of liquor by unmarried persons (youths) has been completely banned in our village effective August 2, 2026, taking into consideration public peace, youth welfare, and public health. If it is proved with evidence that an unmarried person has been drinking, a fine of ₹5,000 will be collected,” reads the flex banner, urging the villagers to extend their full cooperation to the “good cause.”
“A right decision today would bring about a good future tomorrow. Let’s avoid liquor and protect our future and community,” it adds.
The ban would cover about 200-odd families in the fishing community in the village, according to U. Suresh Kumar, a representative of the fishermen panchayatdars.
“We took the decision at a meeting of the panchayatdars on August 2 in the interest of the welfare and future of the youths of the village as we got information that some were drinking at a young age,” Mr. Suresh Kumar told The Hindu over the phone.
Vizhunthamavadi is a big village panchayat with about 5,000 families, and fishermen constitute a part of the population. The other communities in the village have supported the decision and are considering similar measures, said Mr. Suresh Kumar.
The nearest TASMAC liquor shop is located about seven kilometres away, in Vettaikaraniruppu.
“The decision was taken purely in the interest of the welfare of our youths,” said M. Thangasamy, another panchayatdar. Citing a recent road accident involving a local youth who sustained severe injuries, he said they wanted to avoid such incidents in future. “We have announced the decision using the public address system too in our hamlet,” he added.
Published – August 13, 2026 03:58 pm IST
