Bhapur: A woman was allegedly thrashed by her husband at the behest of a hooch trader at Karadamada village under Bhapur police outpost limits in Dhenkanal district following her participation in anti-liquor agitations, a report said Sunday.
Villagers rushed to the spot and rescued the woman from her husband’s assault. The incident sparked anger and surprise among the villagers who overpowered the hooch trader and handed him over to the police.
Sources said the hooch trader, hailing from the same village, has several complaints registered in his name in the police station. Police had seized liquor from his possession on several occasions and had even barred him several times from carrying out his trade. He however, refused to desist from his activities and continued the business in a clandestine manner, the sources said.
The incident occurred when a man, after getting drunk at the hooch shop Saturday, was incited by the trader to rein in his wife as she was leading the anti-liquor agitations in the area. The man came back home and beat up his wife black and blue, eyewitnesses said.
Bhapur OIC Purna Chandra Rout said that the hooch trader has been warned while steps are being taken to stop liquor sale in the village.
PNN