Belagavi Activists Stage Massive Protest Against Illegal Liquor Trade in Rural Areas
Hundreds of activists, including a significant number of women, gathered under the banners of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha (KRS) and Hasiru Sene at Channamma Circle in Belagavi on Thursday. The protest was organized to demand an immediate cessation of the illegal sale of liquor in the rural regions of Belagavi district, highlighting growing concerns over social and economic distress.
Protesters March to Deputy Commissioner's Office with Memorandum
After raising powerful slogans against the unchecked liquor trade, the protesters marched to the deputy commissioner's office. There, they submitted a detailed memorandum to the government through the commissioner, urging strict and prompt action to curb this menace. The demonstration underscored the community's frustration with the ongoing issues.
KRS Leader Highlights Suffering of Poor Families
Addressing the gathering, KRS leader Prakash Nayak emphasized that many impoverished families are suffering due to the widespread availability of liquor. He alleged that illegal liquor sales are being conducted through grocery stores and paan shops in several villages, exacerbating the problem.
Nayak further claimed that this illegal trade is being carried out with the connivance of officials from the police and excise departments. This alleged collusion has led to a sharp rise in alcoholism in rural areas, causing severe hardship to families and resulting in an increase in the number of widows. He urged the government to take the issue seriously and put an end to illegal liquor and drug trafficking.
Women Protesters Voice Anguish Over Social and Economic Problems
Several women from rural areas who participated in the protest voiced their deep anguish over the social and economic problems caused by alcohol consumption. They stated that repeated appeals to the excise and police departments to curb illegal liquor sales have gone unanswered, leaving communities in despair.
The women alleged that instead of preventing the illegal trade, officials from the concerned departments are extending full cooperation to those involved, further entrenching the issue. Their testimonies highlighted the personal and collective toll of this crisis.
Key Figures Present at the Protest
Prominent figures such as Shivanand Mugalihal, Kishan Nandi, and Asma Jutadar were present during the protest, lending their support to the cause. Their involvement underscores the broad-based concern and the urgent need for governmental intervention to address illegal liquor sales in Belagavi's rural areas.
