Kendrapara, March 4: Hundreds of anti-liquor campaigners, mostly women, ransacked a licensed country liquor shop at Tikhiri village in Mahakalpada and later set it on fire here today, prompting police to beef up security.

Though the cops reached the spot, they could not intervene as the women campaigners went on a rampage and destroyed the shop.

The liquor shop was doing flourishing trade at the village, having nearly 7,000 strong population. It has been alleged that it is due to the presence of the shop in the area that several local youths have turned alcoholic.

"We had drawn the attention of the district administration, demanding closure of the shop, which is located in the heart of the village. It was vitiating the peaceful environs of the habitation. Alcohol addiction among male members of the local families was steadily rising ever since the shop began operational at the village a couple of years ago. As the authorities did not take any action, we were forced to take law into our hands," said a campaigner Chameli Ojha.

"The crime rate has gone up at the village, and the alcoholic habits of many villagers have led to break-ups in their families. For the past one year, we have been demanding closure of the shop. The acts of violence displayed today is, however, condemnable. The agitation needs to be peaceful," said another woman campaigner, Kanchan Behera.

Kendrapara collector Debraj Senapati said: "The administration is in receipt of grievance petition in this regard. The government officials have rushed to the village to take stock of the situation. The administration will restore peace at the village. It has decided to shut down the liquor shop."

Mahakalpada police station inspector Padarabind Tripathy said: "The liquor shop was in operation with valid licence issued by the excise department. However, local people registered protest as the shop was vitiating the village atmosphere. Patrolling has been beefed up at the village to prevent possible breach of peace."

On March 8 last, anti-liquor campaign had triggered police-people clash at Namtara village in the Aul police station jurisdiction.