Khurda: Almost a week has passed since Khurda collector assured the residents of Chhanaghara and Kusumati in Jatni police limits, to check illegal liquor sale in the area, but nothing of the sort has happened so far.
Expressing dismay over district administration’s apathy in curbing illegal liquor trade in the village, recently some residents carried out a door-to-door campaign in both the villages to sensitise people about the adverse effects of liquor and drugs.
According to sources, illegal country made liquor is being sold at 10 different locations in both the villages. Besides anti-social elements are also reportedly selling brown sugar and cannabis in the locality, turning a number of people, including youth of the area into addicts.
Locals alleged that a nexus between some policemen and those involved in illicit liquor racket is the cause behind its flouring in the area. Confident of police protection, the illicit liquor vendors are also threatening people who oppose their illegal activities.
Earlier, hundreds of residents staged a protest against sale of liquor by throwing bottles on road but the district administration did not pay attention to the issue. Locals further allege that the administration is well aware of these illegal activities, but has done nothing to curb the same.
When contacted, Chhanaghara sarpanch Sunil Routray said, “The villagers are against sale of liquor in the area but without the support of police and district administration it is going on unchecked and is flourishing in the area.”
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