Bolangir: Tension prevailed near Bolangir railway station as hundreds of women ransacked a liquor shop and set it on fire Monday.
Two of the women sustained burn during the incident, it was learnt. The women – Rupa Khan (38) and Beena Pathak (32) – were rescued and admitted to the district headquarters hospital.
A police team had to be deployed at the site to bring the situation under control. The mob also tried to vandalise a liquor bar near the station.
However, they relented after the owner assured them of shutting down the establishment within a few days.
According to sources, a liquor shop and two bars were opened near the railway station chhak. Anti-socials and drunkards regularly crowded the locality due to the presence of the liquor shops. This made women and children vulnerable to misbehaviour by the anti-socials. The drunkards reportedly made lewd comments at women.
On the other hand, commuters had to face problems in reaching the railway station due to the crowd.
Earlier, women of the area had staged a road blockade demanding the closure of the bars. Later, the collector also passed an order for closure of the bars and shifting of the liquor shop.
However, the bar owners challenged the collector’s order in High Court and continued to run the entities.
Left with no option, the locals and women took the law in their own hands and ransacked the bars and liquor shop. PNN