Various anti-liquor organisations staged protest rallies here on Saturday against the State Excise Department’s reported decision of allowing liquor shops in five cities to operate till midnight.
Members of the Milita Odisha Nisha Nibaran Abhiyan staged a dharna in front of the residence of Excise Minister Damodar Rout demanding a rollback in the ‘decision’.Some Abhiyan members also held a discussion with Minister Rout. However, Rout said the news published in some newspapers regarding opening of liquor shops till 12 am is false.
Earlier, members of the anti-liquor body, including Bijay Swain, Khageswar Bal, Rasmita Pradhan, Kabita Parida and Indumati Sahoo had led a rally from near the Capital Hospital to the residence of the Minister.Similarly, members of the All India Mahila Sanskrutik Sangathan (AIMSS) also held a meeting in protest against the ‘decision’.
“It is a hateful and anti-people decision. The number of crimes like rape, murder and dacoity will further increase if liquor shops remain open till midnight,” Sangathan members said.AIMSS State committee president Binapani Das, secretary Swayamprava Nayak, Bidyut Mohant and Bijyalaxmi Patra spoke on the occasion.