This NRI Gujarati businessman is facing protest in New Zealand

Porirua, New Zealand, 3 December, 2011

NRI Gujarati Chiman Patel in New Zealand’s Porirua city is facing protests these days from the parents of the school children. There was a full-scale protest march against Chiman Patel early this week attended by around 100 local people.

The reason for protest is Patel’s liquor store Thirsty Liquor which is the only bottle store open until midnight in ths city.

The store is located across the road from Russell School at 30 meters distance, and 750 meters from Porirua College in Cannons Creek.

The residents have complained of broken glass, graffiti and drunks near the store and school.

One Juliet Bellingham, 71 has lived near the school for 45 years and is afraid to go out at night. She is constantly picking up bottles according to a report in local newspaper. “I’m very sad about its influence on the community, in particular the huge affects it has on the school.”

The neighbors have to deal with drunks urinating, defalcating on their properties. The footpaths there are filled with broken glasses. The primary school had to install grills and gates to keep the danger away. The school children are instructed to wear shoes every time to be safe.

A large banner with “say yes to our children’s future say no to Thirsty Liquor” was carried in front of children and adults carrying small homemade sign during the protest march.

The Fantame liquor store, now called Thirsty Liquor is being operated by Chiman Patel for last nine years. He says he extended the closing time to midnight because of community requests. He said he was just providing service.

The residents feel that the license of Fantame Liquor Store should be cancelled. Liquor Licensing Authority has to make a decision now. The hours of the opening of liquor store, unwanted noise are the main points to decide on.