Violent anti-liquor protest in Khurda after death of local

Khorda: Anti-liquor protest in Khurda erupted after the death of a person in Haladia today morning. Irate over the death which allegedly was due to alcohol consumption, locals today ransacked liquor shops in the area and also staged a road blockade.

It is alleged, one Nursingha Pati from Haladia died after consuming country liquor. Following protests and vandalism, police reached the spot to control the agitated locals and rescued the liquor shop employees.

The protestors had vandalized Haladia hospital as well alleging that the Nursingha died due to lack of ambulance and doctors at the hospital.

Bobby Majhi, a protestor from the village alleged, “The government is launching several schemes claiming to offer several life-enhancing benefits, but liquor consumption is taking lives. We want to free our area from liquor for which it is necessary to shut down the liquor shops in the locality.”

Jugal Kishore Dash, SDPO, Khurda said “The locals have demanded for proper medical services. After holding discussions with the villagers, we have decided to take steps to improve health care services.”

Gouri Shankar Panda, CDMO, Khurda, said “We will demand an explanation from the doctor on-duty and take necessary actions.”

Last year on December 19, a similar case had cropped up in Khurda when a youth died in a road mishap in front of a liquor shop following which the locals had set the liquor shop on fire and staged protests.