Talcher: Tension ran high Monday as irate women ransacked an Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shop at Anand Bazaar in Santhapada panchayat under this block in Angul district and later set liquor stocks on fire after the administration failed to address their pleas on shifting the liquor shop.
The administration’s reluctance to address their demands sparked outrage among the villagers and they went on to ransack the liquor shop. They first took a vow at the village temple shrine before marching in a rally and ransacking the shop.
Sources said the excise department permitted opening of an IMFL shop at Anand Bazaar in the panchayat notwithstanding the opposition from villagers.
The establishment of the shop sparked resentment among the residents as they led by the sarpanch submitted written complaints to the collector, sub-collector and excise superintendent demanding to shift the shop elsewhere May 25, 2017. The villagers again lodged complaints after no steps were taken to address their pleas June 30, 2017.
This time the administration assured to take steps after conducting a probe. However, the administration failed to live up to its promise. Fed up with the apathy, the villagers reached the shop in a rally July 9 and staged a road blockade on NH-149 near the Anand bazaar after they found the shop closed. They relented after the authorities assured to take steps this time.
The sub-collector called a meeting the next day and assured the villagers that the shop will remain closed till the issue is resolved after completion of a spot inquiry. However, despite the promise of the sub-collector the liquor shop started conducting business from the same place from August 22. This sparked resentment among the villagers as they went on a rampage and ransacked the shop Monday. PNN
