Dhenkanal: Women and other residents of the Paikadahikor area under Dhenkanal Sadar block in this district protested Thursday evening against the sale of country liquor and spurious hard drinks. They shut down one shop and threatened to do the same with others unless the district administration took steps in curbing the sale of illicit country-made liquor.
The protestors said that alcohol is ruining the families of many and a large number of youth have turned into alcohol addicts. Crime is also increasing in the locality they alleged. They also said that school and college students are being harassed by drunks. The demonstrators also informed that they had approached the district administration on a number of occasions to close down the illegal shops selling liquor, but to no avail. They also warned that they would destroy all the liquor shops in the area if no action is taken.
On receiving information, police officer Sabita Patra from the Govindpur outpost and sarpanch Susant Kumar Jena reached the spot and pacified the agitators stating that action would be taken soon to curb the liquor menace.