Following the closure of three stalls on Kozhikode beach after the seizure of stale meat and rotten vegetables, beachgoers and residents have demanded that the trade licences of the operators be terminated. They also sought measures to reduce the total number of outlets permitted at the prime tourism spot, citing inconvenience to visitors.

“We welcome the order issued by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission to suspend the licences of those involved in the latest incident. What we need, however, is the permanent termination of such licences,” said Gireesh Kumar, a native of Vengali and a frequent visitor to the tourism spot. He added the negligence of a few had tarnished the reputation of traders.

Members of various residents’ associations, senior citizens’ groups and tourism entrepreneurs have demanded a permanent mechanism to monitor food quality .