Leh, Oct. 31 -- The All Ladakh Liquor Traders Association defended the livelihood of liquor traders and questioned what they described as selective targeting of their business, and urged the administration and civil society to consider the economic consequences of any decision affecting the liquor trade.

The Association at a press conference maintained that liquor trading is a legally licensed business in Ladakh and that people from different religious communities, including Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus, are associated with the trade. It objected to the perception that the business belongs exclusively to one particular community and said that decisions should not target one section of society.

The representatives questioned...