Anti-liquor protest across Odisha: Children take part; govt blamed

Bhubaneswar/Berhampur/Angul: The anti-liquor protest is gaining momentum in the State with protests staged at least three different places today against the sale of liquor. Protesters even ransacked a liquor shop in the Capital city.

Scores of women on Sunday joined an anti liquor movement and went on a rampage to demolish a liquor outlet in Bharatpur area in Bhubaneswar. Men and children also took part in the protest.

“We aim to make Bharatpur free of liquor and our efforts towards this cause will continue till we make the State liquor free," said a local woman protestor.

For the first time children were seen in the anti-liquor protest. “Under the influence of alcohol, people here used to abuse us while we were on the way to school. So, we ransacked the shop,” said a minor boy.

Women staged a road blockade in Patrapur under Purusottampur block in Ganjam district demanding eviction of the liquor shop in the area.

They also demanded immediate action against the rampant sale of illicit liquor in the area.

A similar scene was also seen in Angul district as women took out a rally holding sticks and shouting anti-liquor slogans against sale of liquor. Social activists belonging to different groups extended their support to the cause.

“What can we do? Neither the government nor the police is listening to our woes,” lamented a social activist of Kasipur Sumani Jhodia.

Another activist Padma Naik said as the government is not listening to their cause, left with no choice, they are ransacking the shops. “The vested interest of the government is to blame for the rampant sale of liquor in the State,” Naik added.

Also Read: Violence during anti-liquor protest: Bahinipati gets bail

It is worth mentioning that anti liquor movements were also witnessed in different places in Dhenkanal, Baleswar and Sambalpur districts in the last couple of months.