Students angry at plans to close clubs early

STUDENTS Unions yesterday lashed out at government plans to force nightclubs and bars to close earlier as part of an attempt to reduce the number of young people killed on the roads.

The Pancyprian Federation of Students’ Unions (POFNE) called on all student sectors to unite at the University of Cyprus at midday on Thursday and from there march to the Ministry of Finance where they will hand over a petition to Minister Makis Keravnos.

Interior Minister Andreas Christou said earlier yesterday that a ministerial committee discussing the issue would meet again in 15 days. Under review are not only opening hours, but also other factors which lead to traffic violations or deaths involving youngsters.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, which also included the Minister of Justice Doros Theodorou, Minister of Education Pefkios Georgiades, Minister of Labour Christos Taliadoros, police chief Tassos Panayiotou and other officials, Christou said the proposal to be submitted to parliamentary committee council would include a “specific proposal that will include measures to counter the problem which has for so long been a focal point not just in society but also for the media.”

He added that the road death problem could not be put down to a single aspect, such as driving back late from a nightclub, but from to different factors like driving under the influence of alcohol or banned substances.

Asked when measures might come into force, Christou said was up to parliament.
The statement by POFNE yesterday said that altering the opening hours of nightclubs would only make traffic problems worse.

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