Anti-liquor protesters in Sundargarh district who have been holding a relay strike for last one year demanding shifting of a liquor shop in their village have on Friday lodged an FIR against their local sarpanch for allegedly scolding them in filthy language concerning their agitation.
According to sources, the Sundargarh Collector recently had asked to Sarpanch of Garjanjor Panchayat Sirsaraj Biswal to convene a Gram Sabha to take the views of the villagers regarding the local country liquor shop and beer parlor in their locality. Biswal had called the Gram Sabha on Friday but during meeting, he allegedly rebuked the villagers in filthy language when he came to know that most of the villagers are in favour of shifting the liquor shop from Bileimunda and his pleas to appease them just fell on deaf ears.
later, the villagers lodged a FIR against Sarpanch Biswal in Balinga police outpost. The Hemgiri police are now investigating into the case.
Notably, the villagers have been demanding to shift the liquor shop alleging that the shop has been the main cause of many disturbances in their locality. But though they have been on a relay hunger strike since April 2, 2016, the local administration has not taken any favourable action so far.
The important thing about the agitation is women in large numbers are supporting it.
“Our anti-liquor agitation has touched 365 days on April 1 and it will continue till our demand is fulfilled,” said protester Rajendra Naik.