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Last Updated: Friday, 28 March 2008, 13:12 GMT

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Kashmiris take to alcohol

By Altaf Hussain
BBC News, Srinagar



People are unwilling to be seen buying alcohol

There has been a sharp fall in violence in Indian-administered Kashmir and at the same time the consumption of alcohol has started picking up fast.

Liquor shops and cinemas were the first to close down on orders from separatist militant groups after the outbreak violence in the late 1980s aimed at driving India out of the region.

But now the liquor traders are back in business.

Two and a half years ago, the Kashmir Valley's first liquor shop opened on the boulevard along Dal Lake in the summer capital, Srinagar.

Last month, the Valley got its fifth shop in the southern district of Anantnag.

When the first outlet opened, activists of a militant women's group, Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Faith) ransacked it and local residents pledged support to their campaign.

But a look at the sales suggest that support does not amount to much.

DONTDRINKTOOMUCHEE