Nuapada/Sinapali: With the authorities failing to curb the illegal liquor trade, women from Nuamalpada gram panchayat have formed special groups to stop the menace in the locality.
The areas falling under Nuamalpada gram panchayat is 130 km away from Nuapada district headquarters and 30 km from Sinapali block headquarters.
Maosists have good strength in the area while the presence of police and excise department officials is minimal, locals pointed out.
They said the liquor mafia is making good use of the situation by opening ‘kothis’ in lanes.
Though the villagers have complained the administration about the situation, no action has been taken so far.
This has forced the women to start their fight against illegal liquor trade.
Women from five to six SHGs recently held a protest meeting on the premises of the Shiva temple in the village.
They discussed how the liquor trade has already destroyed the peaceful atmosphere in the village.
The women, led by local Naib Sarpanch Banita Podha, have taken a vow to free the area from liquor traders.
They even visited Khanda Poda and Porti Poda, on the border of Chhatisgarh and staged a demonstration there.
The members have also started an awareness campaign, narrating the harmful effects of liquor consumption.
