The Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch, a philanthropic organisation fighting for protection of human rights here, at an emergency meeting held in its office at Umanagar at lanjipallii chaired by its president Upendranath Mishra on Sunday, alleged that the consumption and sale of country-made liquor has increased manifold in the State during the present BJD rule.
The Manch also alleged that the mushroom growth of liquor shops in the State is the root cause of the deterioration of law and order and more particularly responsible for the rising incidents of crime and atrocities on women which need to be checked. In the name of raising revenue, the BJD Government has no clear-cut policy for granting liquor licence, as a result of which there is open and rampant consumption and sale of both country-made and foreign liquors in every nook and corner of the State including places close to schools and colleges, thereby posing a serious threat to the lives and modesty of the women.
The Manch also alleged that the State Commission for Women too has failed to put pressure on the Government to make a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor even as 49 per cent of the State’s population comprises women. The women are scared to move out in the evening only because of liquor. The speakers demanded closure of the State Beverages Corporation and a ban on the consumption and sale of liquor immediately to provide relief to women. Among others, Manch coordinator Advocate Abani Kumar Gaya, social worker Maguni Nahak, Dr AR Verma and social worker and photographer Prasant Kumar Das leaders spoke at the meeting.