Begunia: With the administration failing to curb illegal liquor trade in this block of Khurda district, the women have formed groups to prevent this act. The women are up in arms against the selling of liquor as they feel it affects family and creates financial crisis.
A number of groups of women armed with sticks and lathis regularly now conduct check in various parts of this block. Their efforts have already reduced illegal liquor sale by over 50% in the last 45 days. The leaders of this movement against liquor are Sumitra Panigrahi and Basanti Panigrahi.
They alleged that illegal liquor shops have come up in various parts of the Begunia block. The two also said that in spite of lodging repeated complaints against these shops, the district administration has failed to take any preventive measures.
“We are against alcoholism as it leads to financial crunch and affects domestic peace. Alcoholism leads to domestic violence. We have zero tolerance for alcoholism,” the two said in unision.
Various other members of the group alleged that the local police are working hand-in-glove with the alcohol traders. “They (police) are paid on a regular basis so that the selling of the liquor happens smoothly,” they alleged.
They also blamed the excise department officials for failing to curb the illegitimate activities which have led to alcoholic addiction among the residents of the area. The members alleged that if raids had been conducted on a regular basis, this selling of illicit liquor would not have flourished.
The move by the women has been welcomed by a lot of people in the locality. The groups plan to meet the District Collector soon and apprise him of the situation.
PNN