Tribal women in MP launch bold raid on illegal liquor vendors, dump bottles in river

BHOPAL: Women from the tribal-dominated villages of Katak and Jamanjhiri villages of Risen district in Madhya Pradesh have taken matters into their own hands to combat the rampant illegal liquor trade. This area falls under the constituency of Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel.
Frustrated by the Excise Department's inaction, these women organized a bold raid, seizing illicit alcohol bottles from local vendors, say sources.
They marched through their villages carrying the seized bottles. Their protest culminated in a dramatic display of defiance as they made their way to a nearby river bridge, where they threw the bottles into the river and destroyed them. Chanting slogans, the women voiced their anger over the unchecked liquor trade that has been causing disruption to their communities.
The women claim that illegal liquor is poisoning the atmosphere in their villages, with its presence leading to increased domestic violence and deteriorating social conditions. Despite repeated complaints and their own efforts to address the issue, the Excise Department has failed to take any substantial action.
This comes after Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel issued a stern warning to illegal liquor traders a month ago, threatening to shut down their operations if they didn’t comply with the law.
Talking to media the protestors expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the villages, stating that the sale of illegal liquor is ruining homes and causing severe social issues. They criticized the Excise Department for its lack of enforcement and said the community had no other option but to take action on their own.
Similar allegations of illegal liquor sales have emerged from other villages as well. Villagers claim that the liquor is being directly supplied by contractors, with reports suggesting that these suppliers are dropping off the alcohol in multiple locations, further fuelling the trade.
In an earlier protest, women from various villages had gathered at the Collectorate in Raisen to demand stricter enforcement of laws against the illegal liquor trade.