One-man army against liquor gets support
The one-man army’s fight against sale of liquor and opening of outlets in Laida village of Rengali block has finally received some support. Janardan Sahu, found able support from the villagers of Sindurpank panchayat, who have long been demanding ban on sale of liquor in their panchayat. They joined him on Saturday, exactly a year after the 73-year-old began his crusade against liquor.
Sahu has been staging a dharna in front of the collectorate demanding ban on country liquor at Laida but the entire village was pitted against him. The septuagenarian, who is also president of Dinabandhu Swayam Sebi Sanstha (DSSS), aims to make Laida, the biggest village of the district, liquor-free. With this aim in sight, he sat alone outside the collectorate against the backdrop of a photo of Mahatma Gandhi, demanding closure of IMFL and country liquor outlets in Laida.
His fast-unto-death evoked strong support forcing the administration to enter into a dialogue with Sahu and assure him that the IMFL shop would be moved out from the village along with the country liquor brewing unit, it remained mere lip service forcing Sahu to launch a stir yet again from Friday.
Even today his fellow villagers are opposed to the idea and have submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Collector on Friday against ban on liquor shops.
IIM Sambalpur
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