Nabarangpur: The anti-liquor movement led by women in Nabarangpur district intensified on Monday as thousands of protesters gheraoed the District Collector’s office, demanding complete prohibition across the district and warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands are not met within 15 days.
Organised by the Nabarangpur District Women’s Federation, the protest began with a rally from Chaunriaguda Chowk to the Collectorate. The demonstrators, many carrying sticks, also blocked the national highway (NH) from around 12 pm to 2 pm, disrupting traffic while pressing for a district-wide liquor ban and implementation of a 10-point charter of demands.
A delegation led by Federation president Draupadi Gond, secretary Prabhati Durua and other office-bearers submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor and Chief Minister to the District Collector. Separate memoranda outlining block-specific demands were also submitted to the Superintendent of Police and the district Excise authorities for all 10 blocks.
The protest was supported by the federation’s chief advisers Rajesh Jani, Debaraj Nag and Dayanidhi Suna, while Dabugaon MLA Manohar Randhari also joined the demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, Gond alleged that the sale of country liquor, pouch liquor, Indian-made foreign liquor and counterfeit liquor had increased across the district, fuelling alcoholism, domestic disputes, violence and other social problems in villages.
The federation demanded a complete ban on liquor trade in the district, closure of all illegal liquor outlets and distilleries, and immediate arrest of those engaged in illicit liquor business. It also sought confiscation of the properties of repeat offenders involved in illicit liquor trade and stricter legal provisions, including imprisonment, to deter such activities.
The protesters further demanded the closure of licensed liquor shops and distilleries in Makia, Dhansuli, Anchalagumma, Panditguda and Maidulapur until separate Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha meetings are held in the respective villages.
The women also resolved to socially boycott liquor traders and habitual drinkers until the sale and consumption of liquor cease and the government acts on their demands.
Security arrangements were put in place during the protest, with Sub-Divisional Magistrate Prakash Mishra, police and excise officials deployed to maintain law and order. No untoward incident was reported.
