Chhattisgarh village bans liquor, gets CCTVs to keep a watch | India News

RAIPUR: A village in Chhattisgarh’s wave district has banned liquor and drawn up ‘rules’ to impose a fine of Rs 51,000 on anyone selling or buying liquor in their area.
The people of Ghumka village, around 10km from the Balod district headquarters and 90km from Raipur, say their decision to clamp down on liquor was prompted by a rash of crimes due to drunkenness. Women of the village, who bore the brunt of alcoholism, took the lead in the ban. “It was the women and children who suffered terribly because of alcohol addiction. Each household had at least one member addicted,” village head Milap Singh Thakur said.
Ghumka is a village of around 3,000 people. Elders of the village said that liquor had begun affecting all age groups, including teenagers, which alarmed them. It was also being sold illegally and youngsters often got drunk and harassed women.
The locals have decided to install CCTV cameras within 10 days to maintain 24×7 surveillance. A ‘gram samiti’, including women, will monitor the CCTV feed. Village head Thakur said, “Ghumka has decided to get more disciplined. Those using slangs will be fined as well. Values have started declining among people.”