Village women close down liquor vend in Vidharba

Tired of the menfolk getting drunk every other day, women of Davva village of Vidharbha region forced a liquor shop to shut down despite it being a Government licensed vend.

Davva Village (Vidharba), June 21 : Tired of the menfolk getting drunk every other day, women of Davva village of Vidharbha region forced a liquor shop to shut down despite it being a Government licensed vend.

The women of the village got together and told the liquor shop owners that liquor had affected social harmony and there was no alternative but to close the shop.

Raju Patle, a social worker, said that the villagers were consuming excessive amount of wine and liquor. "Our village is poverty-stricken. So the women committee protested and got the liquor shop closed," said Patle.

Members of the Mahila Sangathan (women group) said liquor was available any time of the day. Even teenagers were found drinking.

Maya Chaudhary, a member of the Sangathan, said: "To get it closed we had to organise several meetings. Many men lent a helping hand to our cause. We even approached the District Collector".

Raj Chafekar, Police Officer, Duggipur village, said: "When I took charge I thought of getting the ill practice curbed. The task was a tough one, so I had to take the support of the ladies. Together we were able to succeed in our task".

But the problem is not over. Raj Chafekar says that even though the authorised liquor shop has been closed, illegal service of liquor has started. "We are raiding the concerned places, if informed," he said.

The women group now plans to track down the 'Moonshine breweries' in the vicinity of their village.

ANI