Women protest liquor trade, gherao police station in Keonjhar

Keonjhar: Hundreds of women today gheraoed the Soso police station in the district demanding immediate closure of illicit liquor outlets in and around the Kahaliagadia village under Padhiaripali panchayat.

According to reports, women members of the Maa Tarini Mahila Sangha, made attempts to ransack an illegal liquor unit running in the area at around 10 pm on Monday night. However, while doing so, a woman member of the Sangha and her husband were attacked by a group of liquor traders.

Though the incident was reported at the Soso police station, the officials did not take any action, rued the protestors. Infuriated over the police inaction, hundreds of women staged marched towards the police station and staged demonstration.

The women alleged that despite repeated requests, the administration has failed to take action against the liquor traders.

"Some members of the women's association had come to me earlier and intimated me about the ongoing liquor trade in the area. They wanted to launch an anti-liquor protest in the area and I had assured them of immediate action if any such case comes to the fore," said IIC of Soso police station.

Two liquor traders have been arrested in connection with the attack and they will be forwarded to the court today.