The Odisha Mada Mukti Abhiyan (OMMA) has urged women to make the anti-liquor protest more intensive and widespread across the State.
“As the people of country had raised their voice against the British rule seeking freedom in absence of leaders during the Quit India Movement in 1942, each resident needs to be committed to protesting against sale of liquor in his or her locality to protect his or her family, village, society and State from the adverse effects of liquor consumption,” the OMMA said in a release.
“liquor and other toxic products are against the lord Jagannath culture,” said OMMA convenor Pramila Swain, stressing the need for collective efforts to make the State liquor-free.
At least 24,000 people have died due to liquor consumption in the State in the past 10 years while over 50,000 have been affected due to damage to vital body organs. Several families have been affected due to alcohol.
Swain said consumption of liquor is a major reason behind increase in the crime rate in the State every year.
While the State’s annual budget is less than `1 lakh crore, its people are spending `50,000 to `60,000 on alcohol per year.
While States like Kerala, Bihar and Tamil Nadu have adopted prohibition, Odisha has also announced to set up liquor-free villages in its youth policy. However, the State Government is moving towards destruction by encouraging people to open more liquor shops, alleged the OMMA.