Barbil: Hundreds of women belonging to Maa Thakurani Mahila Samiti of Dalaki Slum in Keonjhar district Tuesday held a rally for creating awareness against consumption of liquor among villagers and to protest against police inaction in arresting illegal liquor traders.
The women demanded closure of all illegal liquor dens in the area. They had approached the administration umpteen number of times in the past regarding this.
Many local youths have turned alcoholics and are wasting a substantial part of their earnings on liquor. Alcohol has destroyed many families who mostly depend on farming.
Although the women had requested the local authorities not to allow the opening of liquor shops in the area, a liquor shop was opened at the Thakurani Market and at several other spots in the village.
The women said that Excise Department officials had adopted a soft attitude towards the distillery owner considering revenue. They said that neither any official nor people’s representative have visited the protest venue to meet them and listen to their problems.
The protesting women complained that the liquor distillery located on the outskirts of the village is adversely affecting children.
The women said that despite persistent pleas before the administration and the police to shut down all illegal liquor joints in their locality, college students and schoolgirls have been facing trouble from drunkards.
Crime is also ballooning in the area, but the authorities have not acted. The women staged a rally under the leadership of Jayanti Barik at the Dalaki slums and Thakurani area demanding the closure of liquor shops.
They also warned that they would destroy liquor shops if no action is taken. The women said they will not stop their protests until action is taken against the liquor mafia.
PNN
