Bhubaneswar, April 4: Members of the BJP, along with local residents, today staged a demonstration in front of Lakshmisagar police station to protest against the illegal sale of liquor and brown sugar in the area.

They also demanded arrest of goons involved in the trade.

The agitators alleged that Haladi Padia slum had become a safe haven for criminals. "Drug peddling has become rampant. Though we have been complaining to the local police about the illegal activities in the slum area, the cops have not initiated any action," alleged a protester.

They also alleged that the police did not initiate any action against a local BJD councillor, who had thrashed a few local residents a couple of months ago. "Though we had registered a complaint against the MLA, the police instead arrested the complainant," alleged another protester.

Jagannath Pradhan of the BJP demanded action against the inspector in charge of the police station.

"The cops here seem to be enjoying the patronage of the ruling party members. The law-and-order situation is worsening day by day, but the police prefer to look the other way," he alleged.

It is also alleged that a number of dhabas and hotels are involved in illegal sale of liquors on Cuttack Road, which comes under the same police station's jurisdiction.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said night patrolling had been intensified around the slum area. "Besides, we have also started a drive in the area to stop illegal sale of liquor. We will hold a meeting with the residents to listen to their grievances," said Bhoi.

Haladi Padia slum came to limelight last year after its residents assaulted a few police personnel, including the Lakshmisagar police station inspector in charge and sub-inspector Ashok Hansdah, when the cops went there to rescue a youth, whom the local people had detained for having eloped with a girl of the area.

The slum dwellers had kept Santosh Jena, the 25-year-old married man, who had allegedly eloped with one of his distant relatives, hostage. When the police reached the slum, the 30-strong mob, mostly women wielding sticks and bricks, attacked them. Consequently, the police personnel were forced to return from the spot. The attack was so severe that the sub-inspector had fallen in the nearby drain.