Raghunathpur: More than a hundred women of Biribandha village under Kishorenagar police limits Thursday staged a road blockade seeking immediate closure of a foreign liquor shop in the locality.
The agitators burnt tyres and claimed that the locality has witnessed rise in crimes following the setting up of the liquor shop at Biribandha three years ago.
“Incidents of theft are on the rise in our village. Women and students are facing untoward incidents while passing near the liquor shop. Many farmers have also sustained injuries after stepping on broken bottles dumped on their farmlands. We would be forced to intensify our agitation if the authorities concerned do not take immediate steps to close the liquor shop,” said former Zilla Parishad member Sasmita Biswal.
According to the agitators, they had raised the liquor shop issue with Cuttack district Collector, superintendent of police, Kishorenagar tehsildar and Nischintakoili block development officer December 13 and sought their intervention in this regard.
“It was decided that a pallisabha would be convened to take a call on the issue. Till then, the liquor shop would remain closed. However, the shop owner did not comply with the decision, but threatened us with dire consequences,” claimed the agitators.
On being informed, Mahal haat police beat house officer Gaurang Charan Biswal reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating women.
The agitation was suspended after local Sarpanch Dillip Biswal assured the agitators of raising the issue with the district administration.
