TURA: The establishment of two wine stores in the vicinity of Ghaguapara-Chamaguri village of Tikrikilla is being linked to rising incidents of crime in the area as villagers speak about insecurity while passing through the village road after the sunset.
One of the wine stores is allegedly run by the Gaonbura (village headman), Rajesh M Sangma, who has reportedly even given his no-objection endorsement for the opening of another shop run by one Devendar Jain.
“Without taking the consent of the villagers the headman gave permission for the opening of the two wine stores, one of which belongs to him,” complained villagers.
They further allege that there was fear among villagers because the headman had warned that he would not give his sign and authority for any official work to the villagers if they dare to complain over the wine shops.
The opening of the wine shops has angered parents, teachers and village elders given that there have churches and schools in the area since the last many decades.
Several hundred young boys and girls attend the nearby Kristu Jyothi school and the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School. The Ghaguapara Baptist Church and Tikrikilla Catholic Church are also located in the area.
Village elders complain that ever since the wine stores began business, there has been a rise in alcohol consumption among teenagers of the area.
Crime has also risen in recent months with a two wheelers and a solar battery having been lifted, rubber sheets worth over Rs. 1 Lac and computers valued at two lakh rupees stolen from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School premises.
“We are afraid to venture out after dark through the village road due to the presence of drunkards who demand money when we pass through,” lament a villager.
The Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School said that he was worried by the unfolding situation in the area terming the area and the village as the only place where law and order did not exist.
“How can we have law and order when the custodian of the law himself is breaking it by opening a wine shop in the middle of the village,” said Fr Binoy Joseph, Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School.
In the light of the rising disturbances on the village road, the school authorities have stopped the girl students from the hostel from leaving the school premises to attend the traditional Saturday evening’s church service in the nearby church.