Anti-liquor protest turns violent; 4 injured as trader attacks protestors

Balasore: At least four women were injured seriously when they were beaten up mercilessly by a liquor trader, whose shop was ransacked by a group of irate women in Saduapada village under Soro police station of the district on Saturday.

All the injured have been shifted to Community Health Centre, Soro for treatment. Their condition is stated to be stable.

The incident took place when wooden log-wielding women protestors marched towards the illegal liquor shop in their village and pulled down the thatched roof of the shop. Then the sloganeering protestors set the shop afire.

After getting to know about the incident, owner of the shop Rama Mahalik arrived on the spot and started abusing the women physically. The situation turned violent when the group attacked Mahalik with wooden logs. He retaliated with a bamboo stick and injured at least four.

Later the agitating women overpowered Mahalik and tied his hands and legs to a tree. On being informed police rescued Mahalik and took him to the police station. A case has been registered in this regard.

Sources said locals have been protesting against the illegal liquor shop in their village. But the administration had taken no steps to shift the shop.