Pilibhit: An FIR was registered against 58 people, including 29 women, and 10 to 15 unidentified persons for allegedly assaulting police personnel and a joint team of officials during a protest against the opening of two liquor shops in Bundibhoor village under Madhotanda police station limits on Thursday.
Background of the Protest
Village women had been opposing the liquor shops since they were approved on April 9 under the state government's excise policy. Residents said they repeatedly urged authorities to relocate the outlets, citing concerns over liquor addiction among villagers and students.
Police Action and Allegations
Acting on the orders of Superintendent of Police Sukirti Madhav, police registered a case against the accused for allegedly attacking a joint team led by Kalinagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramesh Kumar and Puranpur Circle Officer Prateek Dahiya. District excise officer Kalpnath Rajak and other officials were also part of the team.
Excise inspector Deepak Kumar alleged that officials had gone to the village on Thursday to ensure the peaceful opening of the shops when protesters attacked them with sticks. Tehsildar Virendra Kumar suffered a fractured hand, while contractual driver Raghuvir Kumar was injured. Officials also alleged that protesters damaged police and official vehicles through stone pelting and destroyed liquor stock by throwing bottles onto the road.
Residents' Perspective
Former village pradhan Chandrajeet Rajbhar told TOI, 'For nearly 20 days, village women had been requesting officials, including the SDM, district magistrate, and local BJP MLA, to shift the liquor shops elsewhere to protect villagers and students from liquor addiction, but no action was taken.'
Legal Provisions Invoked
Station House Officer Ashok Pal said the accused were slapped with a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting while armed with deadly weapons), 109 (attempt to murder), 121(2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 324(4) (mischief causing loss or damage amounting to Rs 20,000 or more), and 3(5) (criminal acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
