BHADRACHALAM: After Andhra Pradesh government announced its decision to open liquor shops in Green and Orange Zone according to Centre's guidelines, alcohol drinkers across the state and even from neighbouring states have thronged liquor shops in AP.

As Telangana government didn't operation of wine shops, alcoholics traveled from one state to other. People from Telangana and Tamil Nadu have travelled to the border cities of Andhra Pradesh and rushed to the wine shops to buy liquor.

Despite increase in liquor price by 25 per cent in AP and strict lockdown norms, alcohol addicts travelled from Telangana's Bhadrachalam to the border city of AP East Godavari district's Yetapaka village and were seen forming queue in front of liquor shops even before opening of shops, fearing stocks may get finished before their turn.

Similarly people from Tamil Nadu flocked to wine shops in Andhra Pradesh where liquor shops have been permitted to open. Long queues were witnessed at wine shops in the border villages of BV Palem and Rampuram in Nellore district with booze lovers from the neighbouring state making a beeline.

People from Tamil Nadu rushed to the wine shops in huge numbers and violated Andhra Pradesh government’s guidelines. Seeing the situation seemingly going out of control, AP police forced the closure of the wine shops in the two villages.

According to the guidelines issued by the AP state government, only five people are allowed at a time at the liquor shop and all of them have to maintain a distance of 6 feet. They need to stand inside the circles drawn in front of all the liquor shops. Wine shops are permitted to operate from morning 11 am to 7 pm.

Also Read: ‘New 108 Ambulances In AP To Have Ventilators’