Chandbali: Even though women activists have been carrying out anti-liquor campaigns in various parts of the state, spurious liquor has claimed a man at Chadadia in Bansada police limits of Bhadrak district late Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as Maheswar Majhi, (36). His death triggered tension in the village and hundreds of people blocked the Chadadia-Nalagohira Road. The protesters burnt tyres and forced shops to close.
Maheswar’s family said he had come home drunk late Wednesday night. When he did not get up in the morning, his kin tried to wake him up and were shocked to find him dead.
The family filed an FIR at the police station. They claimed that it was spurious liquor which killed Maheswar.
Bansada police rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the people. “The cause of the death will be clear only after the post-mortem,” said IIC Ramesh Singh.
Locals said spurious liquor trade is rampant in Chadadia, but the police and excise officials have failed to curb it.
The people demanded compensation for the bereaved family, patrolling to check the flow of liquor into the village and action against the bootleggers.
Police assured the villagers that strict measures will be taken to curb illicit liquor and that the administration will be approached for compensation. After five hours, the agitators relented and lifted the road blockade.
PNN