CURATED BY – LAKESH PANCHESHWAR | CITYCHIEFNEWS 

Balaghat, In Manegaon under Birsa police station, a local person Ashok Kadam is openly challenging the law and administration and selling Indian and foreign liquor illegally on a large scale. It is being told that a normal house has been completely developed on the lines of a bar, where there is a complete arrangement for sitting and consuming liquor for the drinkers. The situation has become such that this house has now become the 'illegal bar' of the area, where there is a crowd of drunkards day and night.

According to the local people, this business has been going on fearlessly for a long time, but the surprising thing is that the responsible departments - especially the police and excise - are turning a blind eye to this whole matter. Whereas this case has exposed the administration which claims to take strict action against illegal liquor sale.

Celebration spot for drunkards, headache for villagers

Not only is the social environment deteriorating due to the gathering of drunkards, but women and children walking on the road also have to face embarrassing situations every day. Creating ruckus after drinking alcohol, abusing and petty fights have become common here. But the administration is not paying any heed to it.

Is there any collusion....?

The question is bound to arise that under whose protection Ashok Kadam is running this illegal business so fearlessly? Is there collusion of the police and the excise department in this? Or do they have some 'protection' from above? The public is demanding answers but the responsible people are silent.

Demand for action, otherwise violent agitation

Local citizens and aware youth have demanded strict action against this illegal business. They say that if the administration does not intervene soon, then the villagers will be forced to take to the streets and protest. It has now become very important to save Manegaon from becoming a liquor den.

Administration silent, criminals' morale high
Until the responsible departments take concrete action on this matter, people like Ashok Kadam will continue poisoning the society in this manner. This is no longer just a matter of law, but has become a question related to social deformity and the future of the youth.