An anti-liquor rally involving over 2,000 villagers was taken out at Baisinga in Kamakhyanagar under leadership of Odisha Mahila Mahasangha State president Er Debashisha Hota.
They demanded shutdown of illegal liquor shops operated from betel shops, hotels and private houses.
The rally started from Malapura petrol pump and covered 7 km, which was coordinated by Mahasangha secretary Dillip Samal, Krushak Sangharsha Samiti district secretary Kalandi Charan Behera, Ranjan lenka, Nilamani Kabi, Satya Prakash Jena, Babu Majhi, Sushama Samal, Panchu Rout, Butu Rout and Rajendra Mallik. Er Hota addressed in front of eight illegal liquor shops of Patana Sahi, Singa Sahi, Nua Sahi and bus stand of the village.
Hota alleged that the sand of Ramial and Brahmani rivers, stone and chromites in mines of Kamakhyanagar and Bhuban tehsil weren’t auctioned and illegal mining was taking place due to political pressure. The mafias are looting minerals worth crores of rupees, he stated.
Hota also alleged that new illegal liquor shops are opening up in the locality. He blasted local MlA and Minster Prafulla Mallick for opening of a new licensed liquor shop at Rekula Nigam Petrol Pump. He stated that 1,000 illegal liquor shops were operated in Kamakhyanagar, Jiral and Bhuban area in this manner. He blamed the negative attitude of the Excise and police officials and warned to gherao the office of the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) for indefinite days if steps were not taken to close down the illegal liquor shops.