Women hold night-long protest seeking closure of Govt liquor shop in Bhadrak

In a strong display of public dissent, a group of women staged a night-long protest in front of a government-run liquor shop at Rajgharpokhari Chhak under Basudevpur block in Odisha’s Bhadrak district. The women sat on a dharna throughout the night, demanding immediate closure of the outlet.

According to the protesters, the presence of the liquor shop has led to a spike in antisocial activities and has disturbed law and order in the area. They also alleged that illegal liquor sales are taking place in the vicinity, further worsening the situation for local residents.

Raising slogans against the shop and holding placards, the women accused authorities of ignoring their repeated appeals to shut down the liquor outlet. The protest saw active participation from women of nearby villages who claimed that their families were being ruined due to alcohol abuse.

Following the agitation, police from Nayakanidihi and officials from the Basudevpur Excise Department reached the spot to pacify the protesters. However, the women remained firm on their demand, refusing to end the protest until the shop was permanently shut down.

“We have been demanding the closure of the liquor shop. The shop was closed for three months, and suddenly it opened today. We will not allow the sale of liquor here,” said a protester.