Jayapur: More than 100 women from Badajiuna panchayat under Jayapur block in Koraput district staged a protest on Friday, demanding an immediate crackdown on the alleged illegal manufacture and sale of country-made and foreign liquor in their villages.
The protesters, including members of women’s self-help groups, submitted a memorandum to the Jayapur Sub-Collector and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), alleging that the illicit liquor trade had disturbed public peace and threatened the safety of women and other residents.
According to the villagers, several people allegedly involved in the illegal trade have been creating disturbances in the panchayat, affecting law and order in the area.
The protesters said they had submitted a written complaint to the Sub-Collector on October 5, but no effective action had been taken so far. Expressing dissatisfaction over the alleged administrative inaction, they demanded stringent measures to curb the liquor trade.
The women warned that they would resort to a peaceful highway blockade and sit-in protest if the administration failed to act promptly. They also set a three-day deadline for the authorities to address their demands, warning that they would otherwise gherao the Jayapur Sadar police station.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Excise Department and the officer-in-charge of Jayapur Sadar police station.
Badajiuna Sarpanch Trinath Pujari, along with several villagers and women members of self-help groups, was present during the submission of the memorandum.
