Kamakhyanagar/Sambalpur/Baliapal: The anti-liquor protest gained momentum in the state today as scores of women joined the anti liquor movement to destroy liquor manufacturing units at various places in Dhenkanal, Baleswar and Sambalpur districts. However, some protestors along with Kamakhyanagar SDPO in Dhenkanal sustained injuries in the melee when they started pelting stones at the Rengali liquor den.
Holding sticks and shouting anti-liquor slogans, the angry women went on a rampage to demolish liquor outlets in their respective areas.
Hundreds of women had a face off with police when they were on way to demolish a country liquor manufacturing unit at Bhalumunda under Kamakhyanagar police station in Dhenkanal district today.
According to sources, the women on way to the liquor unit in Rengali were intercepted by a team of police resulting in the scuffle, bringing movement of vehicles to a standstill between Kankadahad and Kamakhyanagar.
Kamakhyanagar police station IIC and his team were present on the spot.
“My husband beats me after consuming alcohol. I am harassed everyday but the police are restricting us from demolishing the liquor units,” said an agitating woman.
Kamakhyanagar SDPO Seikh Abdul Karim who was injured said, “Around 250 women came with sticks to ransack the liquor den. They did not keep us informed. We are trying to pacify them.”
Similarly in Sambalpur, women of Gobindatala village staged a road blockade near the Gobindatala bridge protesting opening of a liquor shop in the locality throwing traffic out of gear.
The women alleged that they were being tortured by their addicted husbands and country liquor is responsible for their problems. The Dhanupali police have reached the spot and are trying to tackle the situation, till reports last came in.
In Baliapal of Balasore district, large number of women gheraoed the Baliapal police station protesting setting up of new liquor outlet in the area.