Even as the State Government is trying to generate more revenue from liquor trade, a number of violent protests by irate local residents, including women, were reported from various parts of the State from Bharatpur in the State capital to Purshhottampur in Ganjam district to Angul.
At Bharatpur, on the city outskirts local residents consisting women, youths and even children ransacked a liquor outlet alleging it to be illegal. The irate mob smashed the hoardings, liquor bottles of the shop alleging that it was creating nuisance in the area.
The children alleged that they were facing problems while commuting to school. They alleged that despite repeated pleas to the authorities and police, a deaf ear was turned to their pleas.
Similarly, women carried out a demonstration at Purushottampur in Ganjam district, alleging that liquor has destroyed their family lives beside, creating frequent law and order problems in their area.
The same sentiments were echoed by anti- liquor protestors in Angul, who alleged that the local Excise officials and police are hand- in- glove with the illegal liquor mafia, for which they had to take to the streets.
A local social activist said the illegal liquor trade has been boosted by the attitude of the State Government to generate revenue in spite of the social problems afflicting society.