A woman in Siwan has become the toast of the administration after she took on her alcoholic husband and got him arrested for violating prohibition laws.
The district police have decided to felicitate Poonam Devi for standing up to her husband. Poonam, a resident of Matuk Chhapra village of Siwan district, 3km east of Siwan town, lodged a complaint with the Women's police station on October 21, saying her husband Umesh Tiwari was an alcoholic and her repeated pleas to him to give up alcohol had fallen on deaf ears.
In fact, it led to frequent brawls during which Umesh not only thrashed her but also tried to burn her clothes once.
Acting on the basis of her complaint, the Women's police station officer-in-charge Poonam Kumari arrested Umesh and sent him to jail.
Siwan superintendent of police (SP) Saurabh Kumar on Thursday said the woman had exhibited great courage in taking on her husband who not only violated prohibition rules but also thrashed her.
"We have decided to felicitate this brave woman. The date for the same will be finalised soon," the SP said. He added that the police would felicitate all those who dare stand up against those violating prohibition rules.
The development is in sync with what the chief minister had said while justifying the implementation of prohibition in the state. Nitish Kumar had said the liquor ban would help curb domestic violence and crime apart from improving the financial condition of poor families in the "grip" of alcoholism.
Poonam Devi, mother of two minor sons and two minor daughters, said she used to work as a daily wager while her husband Umesh worked somewhere in Delhi, where he picked up the habit of drinking. "I always persuaded him against drinking, but he wouldn't listen to me," Poonam said. "He continued to drink even after returning from Delhi, though he knew that prohibition had been imposed in the state. Finally, I decided to take a call and got him (Umesh) arrested."
Though her husband is now behind bars, Poonam is not worried about the road ahead. "I am capable enough to bring up my sons. I will work harder," she said.
Word about Poonam's exemplary courage must have spread, for a similar case was reported from neighbouring Saran district, where Reena Devi (35) got her alcoholic husband Uday Prasad arrested for violating prohibition on October 26. A resident of Hatishar village, 18km west of Chhapra town, Reena took this extreme step after Uday refused to give up alcohol.
"I had expected (Uday) to mend his ways once prohibition was introduced, but nothing changed," said Reena, who works as a daily wager.
Like Poonam, even Reena, mother of a seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, is not worried about their future. "Anyway, it was I who used to run the household," she said.
"Uday's spent a major part of his income on alcohol. I used to manage the household. So, there is no need to be worried," she said.
Saran SP Pankaj Kumar Raj, too, said the police would honour Reena soon.