Women Protest Opening of Liquor Shop in Nodakhali, Vandalism and Road Blockade, Liquor Set on Fire on Road

**Nodakhali:** Tension flared in Nodakhali in South 24 Parganas over a government move to open a liquor shop in the area. Local women took to the streets in protest against the opening of the shop. Along with the protest march, protesters were accused of vandalising the shop. Protesters even threw liquor onto the road and set it on fire. Traffic was disrupted for a considerable time due to their protest and road blockade. Police from Nodakhali police station reached the spot to control the situation.

It has been learned that the government has initiated plans to open a government liquor shop at the New Road crossing under Nodakhali police station. As soon as the news spread, local residents erupted in anger. They allege that the liquor shop had been shut in 2025 following a villagers' movement. However, with the recent move to reopen the shop there, fresh protests have begun.

Protesters claim that under government rules, liquor shops are restricted if educational and religious institutions are located within 500 metres in urban areas or 1 kilometre in rural areas. They allege that within the prescribed distance of the proposed liquor shop at the New Road crossing, there are two mosques, three temples, five government educational institutions and five private educational institutions. Moreover, the area has a nursing home, the BDO office and a police station.

Local residents have questioned how a liquor shop can be proposed in an area with so many important institutions. The anti-drug committee has also informed the administration and the BDO about the matter. They have demanded that the plan to open the liquor shop be stopped immediately.

Now it remains to be seen what steps the administration and the excise department will take after the protest by local residents.