TIRUNELVELI: As many as 113 of the 118 Tasmac liquor shops in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts remained closed on Monday as employees protested the suspension of 20 staff members over alleged irregularities.

Employees staged a sit-in protest outside the Tasmac regional manager’s office at Muneerpallam in Tirunelveli after they were allegedly denied entry for talks with officials.

The protest was led by Tirunelveli district Tasmac trade union federation president Ramaraj and secretary Perumal, along with representatives of various unions and employees. The closure affected liquor sales in the two districts. Several customers were reportedly disappointed after shops remained closed.