KalingaTV News Network
Kendrapada: A group of irate Self-Help Group (SHG) women tied up the hands of a woman and thrashed her soundly for selling liquor at Gagua Chhak in Pattamundai area of the district this morning.
The SHG women also staged a road blockade by burning tyres protesting the inaction of police despite repeated demands for a ban on liquor sale in the area.
According to reports, the women’s group had repeatedly approached the district administration demanding closure of the liquor outlet in the locality. They had also filed a police complaint against the woman, identified as Sasmita Patra, in this regard. Patra was arrested and but started selling wine again after being released.
Frustrated at the inaction of the authorities, the women finally took the law into their own hands after catching Patra with a huge quantity of liquor today. They waylaid her and beat her up after tying her hands on the road.
Local police rushed to the spot and rescued Sasmita. Accusing the police of having good relations with the woman and taking commission from her, they attacked the policemen while they were rescuing her.
“We have repeatedly demanded a complete ban on liquor sale in the area. But no action was taken. Today, we caught her with liquor which she was taking for sale. When we informed the police, they came and beat us up instead of arresting her. Many of us have been injured in the attack by the cops,” complained one of the SHG members.
Ms Kalinga