A protest against a licensed liquor shop escalated here after a woman protester attempted to self immolate but was thwarted in her attempt by lady personnel of police and local intelligence unit.
Women protesting against the liquor shop opened at Narayanpuram colony in Halduchaud had given a 24 hour ultimatum for closing it on Wednesday. On Thursday noon, when no official from the administration reached the site, the agitated women blocked the National Highway. When the blockage caused a long traffic jam, the police and administrative officials reached the site and attempted to conciliate the protesters. The women demanded that the sub divisional magistrate reach the site and seal the liquor shop. Despite attempt by the police to clear the jam, the women protesters maintained their position blocking the national highway.
They relented after being assured that the SDM was arriving. Shortly, one of the women protesters came up with a can of kerosene and started sprinkling it on her as a precursor to an attempt at self immolation. lIU sub inspector lakshmi Negi reportedly acted swiftly and managed to snatch the kerosene can away from the protester before she could pour more of the accelerant on herself. After this, the SDM AP Vajpai reached the site to be accosted by the protesters demanding that the liquor shop be sealed. Talking to the protesters, the SDM requested them to protest in a peaceful manner.
Protesting in a democratic manner is okay but blocking the highway will not be tolerated under any circumstance, he warned. The women maintained that they would continue their protest till the said shop is shifted out of the locality. During the protest, the women also raised slogans against the local MlA Navin Dumka. They complained that they had voted for development and good governance but they are getting their returns in the form of liquor outlets.