Keonjhar: Amid allegations that proliferation of liquor and ‘handia’ trade is creating law and order situation in some pockets of Keonjhar, hundreds of women went on a rampage at Dangarpada near NH-49 and Padmapur Friday.
The women took out a protest rally and vandalised an illegal handia-making unit near NH-49 and later set it on fire. Panicky liquor makers reportedly fled the scene.
They alleged that they had apprised the administration of the illegal ‘handia’ unit several times in the past, but the latter did not pay heed to it.
“Such illegal handia and liquor trade is being carried out at different places of the town in connivance with local police and excise officials. So, no action is taken against the liquor traders,” the protesters said.
Stating that tipsy people create nuisance and make the life of women miserable, the protestors alleged that accidents occur on the road due to drunken-driving. They warned of intensifying the agitation in coming days.
There were similar protests at Padmapur panchayat. Hundreds of women and students took to streets Friday. They demanded that a foreign liquor shop be shifted from Bhatunia-Padmapur roadside.
Local people had earlier put forth their demand before the collector, the excise superintendent, zilla parishad chairperson, sarpanchs of Padmapur, Nuagan and Baradapal, but to no avail.
Following allegations, a meeting was held in the presence of the excise superintendent, local IIC, liquor traders and villagers May 25. However, no step was taken against the liquor trade. “We were forced to stage the agitation,” they rued.
The liquor shop operates close to a temple and a high school. They stated that students and women face a lot of problems as they are teased by drunken men at the place.
Besides, anti-social activities are on the rise due to liquor proliferation. They pointed out that though a decision was taken to shift the liquor shop August 31, nothing was done in this regard.
Shouting for prohibition, the women were joined by block chairperson Latika Dehuri, Padmapur sarpanch Rajendra Hansda, ward member Chandrabhanu Dehuri and former ward member Trilochan Dehuri.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the sub-collector seeking immediate closure of the liquor shop. They warned of stepping up the agitation if immediate steps are not taken in this regard. PNN