Post News Network
Jajpur, Oct 9: Tension ran high Thursday as irate villagers ransacked a liquor shop in protest against the mushrooming illegal liquor trade in Suninda- Mangalpur and Adhang- Purusottampur villages under this block.
The villagers, mostly comprising women members of self-help groups, flayed the police and the district excise department officials for remaining mute spectators to the illegal trade which has destroyed peace in many a home in the region.
The protesters alleged that several persons in their villages have been affected by kidney and liver ailments due to consumption of liquor. They had to spend heavily towards the treatment of the patients, the villagers said, demanding closure of all liquor shops in the region.
The agitating women lit up fire and staged a road blockade with their children demanding arrest of the liquor trader and the other persons involved in illegal trade. The blockade disrupted communication with pedestrians and motorists having a harrowing time.
The protesters warned of an intensified agitation if their demands were not met by the authorities concerned.They relented after Jajpur police station IIC accompanied by his subordinates reached the spot and managed to placate them.
According to reports, four days back the police on persistent demands of villagers had arrested Dasarath Sahu and his son Rabindra for their involvement in illegal liquor trade. However, the villagers were dismayed after they found that the liquor trade continued to operate in the village as usual even after the arrests.
They found that Dasarath’s henchman Gopal Sahu and the latter’s son Babuli were operating the trade. The villagers then threatened Gopal to stop selling liquor but the latter hurled abuses at them and refused to heed their demands.
As a result, the villagers led by members of several women self-help groups raided the liquor shop and ransacked it. They also smashed the liquor bottles.
In a related development, women of Marjitapur under Jenapur police limits in this district met the collector at his office and lodged a complaint on the illegal liquor trade in their locality.