Nagpur Village Erupts in Violence Over Liquor Shop, 32 Police Injured
Tension gripped the sleepy hamlet of Kidangipaar in Amgaon tehsil, Gondia district, approximately 150 kilometers from Nagpur, after protests demanding the closure of a country liquor shop escalated into mob violence earlier this week. The violent clashes resulted in 32 police personnel sustaining injuries, with four of them reported to be in serious condition.
Widespread Arrests and Injuries in Communal Flashpoint
Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming at least 80 villagers for arson and stone-pelting during the unrest. According to sources, a woman police officer, identified as Nikam, suffered multiple fractures in the incident. Kidangipaar, a village of 2,500 residents traditionally known for its cleanliness and communal harmony, has been on edge as the agitation seeking a liquor ban intensified over recent weeks.
Village women have been at the forefront of the protests, asserting that the liquor outlet is ruining families, disrupting social stability, and hindering local development. The situation reached a boiling point on Monday when a police team arrived at the residence of key protester Santosh Donode to arrest him and his family members following an earlier dispute. Donode has two prior offences related to assault and breach of peace.
Peaceful Protest Turns Violent, Police Resort to Lathicharge
What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent as hundreds of villagers assembled at the spot, demanding the immediate closure of the desi booze outlet. Some demonstrators allegedly hurled stones at the police, leading to a fierce clash. In response, police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation.
Several villagers were also injured during the confrontation. Santosh Donode, along with his wife Vaishnavi and daughter Charulata, was arrested and remanded to four-day police custody. A case has been registered against the 80 villagers, including Donode, for charges such as rioting, causing hurt, and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties.
Agitation Traces Back to March, With Escalation Threats
The roots of this agitation trace back to March 20, when Kidangipaar villagers, led predominantly by women and youth, staged demonstrations in front of the Amgaon tehsil office. They submitted a memorandum demanding the permanent shutdown of the liquor shop and called for a referendum on its closure.
The villagers had warned of escalating their stir with tactics such as rasta roko (road blockades), rail roko (rail blockades), and even threats of self-immolation if the booze outlet was not shut by April 10. Key agitators included Donode, Chuneshwari Harinkhee, Pramila Kharole, Chaman Pusam, and Rupkala Bhendarkar. However, these plans have since been put on hold following the recent violence.
Police Encounters and Community Standoff
Earlier, on April 5, a police team including women officers Jayshree Gavhane and Surekha Awtare visited Donode's residence to serve a prohibitory notice under Section 168. Donode allegedly refused to accept the notice, tore it, and asked the officers to leave, leading to a brief scuffle. When police returned the next day to arrest Donode, tensions flared up dramatically.
Villagers laid siege to the police team and insisted that if Donode was being arrested for demanding prohibition, the entire community should also be arrested. Senior officials, including SP Gorakh Bhamare, additional SP Abhay Dongre, SDPO Pramod Madame, and PI Tirupati Rane, rushed to the spot and appealed for calm.
Official Response and Ongoing Efforts
SP Gorakh Bhamare stated that the protest revolves around a licensed liquor shop and that the referendum was delayed due to technical reasons. "The state excise department has been requested to shut the outlet, considering the law and order situation," Bhamare said. He assured villagers that justice would be ensured through proper channels.
Despite repeated appeals, villagers remained adamant and continued their sit-in protest outside the Amgaon police station, demanding the release of the Donode family. As the April 10 deadline nears, authorities have deployed a police contingent in the area to maintain order.
Efforts are underway through dialogue with community leaders and representatives to defuse tensions and prevent further escalation. Police have urged residents to maintain peace and resolve the issue through democratic means rather than confrontation, emphasizing the importance of lawful protest and community cooperation.
