Nabarangpur,Odisha: More than 3,000 women, led by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, staged a massive protest on Friday against the proposed reopening of a closed country liquor outlet at Boripadar village under Dabugam block in Odisha's Nabarangpur district.

During the agitation, protesters allegedly ransacked the closed liquor outlet, removed plastic drums and other materials from the premises and set them on fire.

Protest March From Bhairab Temple to Block Office

The protesting women initially took out a march from Bhairab Temple in Dabugam and proceeded to the block office.

Their representatives and BJD leaders submitted separate memorandums to Block Development Officer (BDO) Samir Patra, Tehsildar Geeta Murmu and Dabugam police station IIC Lachhmi Paraja, demanding that no liquor outlet be allowed to operate at Boripadar.

Women Storm Closed Liquor Outlet

Carrying sticks and raising anti-liquor slogans, the protesters later took out a massive rally through Jayantinagar and Dangariguda before reaching the closed country liquor outlet at Boripadar.

The agitating women allegedly broke open the doors, removed plastic drums and other items kept inside and set them ablaze.

Although police personnel were present at the spot to maintain law and order, they reportedly failed to prevent the protesters from setting the materials on fire.

Fire services personnel from Dabugam later rushed to the location and brought the blaze under control after facing resistance from the protesting women.

Excise Department's Licence Proposal Triggers Opposition

Sources said the Boripadar country liquor outlet had remained closed for the past several months, with its premises lying unused.

However, the Excise Department has reportedly initiated the process of renewing the licence and inviting tenders for the outlet.

Authorities are reportedly planning to issue the licence on November 12, triggering strong opposition from local residents and the BJD.

The protesters maintained that reopening the liquor outlet would adversely affect families and social life in the area. They demanded that the administration withdraw the proposal.

BJD Leaders Participate in Agitation

Dabugam MLA Manohar Randhari, Nabarangpur Zilla Parishad Chairman Motiram Nayak, former MP Ramesh Majhi, former Nabarangpur MLA Sadasiva Pradhani and BJD's Dabugam block president Surendra Kumar Mishra participated in the protest.