Banka, Dec. 26: Residents of a sleepy and backward village in an inaccessible part of Banka district have taken oath not to touch liquor and the panchayat has resolved to impose a penalty of Rs 10,000 on anyone found inebriated.

A resident of Kollasar, in Katoria block, around 21km south of the district headquarters and around 270km south-east of Patna, said on condition of anonymity that since the village was quite inaccessible, police hardly visit.

So people who enjoy liquor hardly bother about the government's anti-liquor law.

"Villagers, in absence of jobs or engagement in other creative work, have become frustrated and taken to alcohol, mostly country liquor available in these areas. So the village panchayat had to take the firm decision of imposing fine on violators," he said.

Kollasar was in 2014 enlisted as the adarsh gaon (model village) of Banka MP Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav. However, that has not translated to any real improvement for the village .

"Two years have passed after the MP adopted Kollasar, but there has been no development" said Bhola Yadav, a village resident.

"Only unemployment and other social sins such as liquor consumption have increased. So we decided to ban liquor first."

In words that would be music to chief minister Nitish Kumar's ears, Kollasar panchayat mukhiya (village head) Washim Hussain said prohibition had become essential, particularly in places like Kollasar, to bring radical change in society.

"We resolved to impose the fine on anyone found drunk, but we will certainly not interfere in police action. We will collect fine and the law will be free to take its own course ," Hussain said.

Under the leadership of Hussain, the village panchayat called a meeting on December 25 in which the decision of imposing penalty against tipplers was taken.

"The majority of the villagers passed the resolution," said Hussain, adding that local youths also supported the panchayat's crackdown against drinkers.

He said a committee, mostly comprising youths, was assigned to keep strict vigil on the village so that no one could drink in the village.

"We welcome the village panchayat's decision," said a homemaker who requested anonymity.

"Many villagers, including some of our family members, still consume liquor, which leads to tension. Hope the panchayat's move will ensure the return of peace to the village and the families."