Kendrapara, March 8: At least six police were injured as hundreds of anti-liquor campaigners, mostly women, ransacked a licensed Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shop at a village here today.

The protesters took out a rally to observe International Women's Day at Namatara village under Rajkanika police station limits. They were also protesting against the growing menace of alcoholism in their locality and adjoining villages.

The rally suddenly turned violent and the protesters ransacked the IMFL shop. There were about 500 people in the crowd and half of them were women. They also beat up the employees, said Kendrapara superintendent of police Satish Kumar Gajaviye.

When the police personnel rushed to the spot, the protesters also attacked them. The crowd then resorted to heavy brick bating and stone pelting. Six policemen, including the Rajkanika police station inspector Sandhyarani Beura, were injured in the attack. With forces being outnumbered by the mobsters, the cops were forced to retreat from the place. The mob then torched the police jeep. Additional police forces later rushed to the spot to rescue the cops.

"Situation is tense in the village. Armed police have been deployed here. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," said the superintendent of police.

Local MLA Debendra Sharma, however, refuted the police version. "Whatever occurred today was solely due to police highhandedness. People were peacefully picketing near the IMFL shop. Without provocation, the police used force on the agitators," said Sharma.

Though the rally was peaceful, a section of anti-social elements had merged into the crowd. They fermented trouble and instigated the people to take law into their hands. It might be the handiwork of the rival IMFL traders operating in Kendrapara district. The police are investigating the incident, said Gajbhiye.

Local sarpanch Kalyani Sahu said the movement demanding the shutdown of the liquor shop had been under way in the village since the past one year. However, the officials allowed the shop to operate. "The act of violence displayed today is, however, condemnable. The agitation needs to be peaceful," said Sahu.