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Muzaffarpur, Dec. 9: Women of Musahari block in the district have launched a movement against illegal sale and consumption of hooch.
They have formed a forum, Mahila Adhikar Morcha, to stop the trade and prevent their husbands from beating them up under the influence of liquor.
Kiran Devi, the convener of the outfit and a resident of Gangapur village in Musahari block, said consumption of hooch was one of the prime reasons for domestic violence. She added that a woman, Sunita Devi, from Gangapur village, died after she challenged her husband, who used to torture her under the influence of illicit liquor.
The members of the outfit — residents of Gangapur, Naroli, Manika and Rajwara villages in the block — led by Kiran took out a procession last Wednesday to demonstrate against the illegal sale of liquor and government policies to open wine outlets at the panchayat-level.
Social activist Ramesh Pankaj told The Telegraph that mafiosi have set up illegal wine factories in at least 30 villages of Musahari block to earn a fast buck.
He alleged that the district police are hand-in-glove with the criminals. The men consume illicit wine and liquor, resulting in abrupt rise in domestic violence and atrocities against women.
Husbands, under the influence of liquor, beat up their wives and children who ask for money for sustenance. All money is spent on buying hooch in the countryside, including Mushahri block.
The agitating women demanded the immediate scrapping of government policy to open wine outlets, adding that these counters would open the floodgate of domestic violence.
Kiran said the forum has handed over a list of centres to the district administration from where illegal wine is sold in Musahari block, demanding strict action against their operators.
Not only did the forum members attacked illegal wine counters at Gangapur and Manika villages, they have also geared up to strike other centres in the district.
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