By Swapnaneel Bhattacharjee

Silchar (Assam), Oct 31: The rampant sale of illegal liquor and mushrooming of gambling centres in villages have left people in South Assam’s Karimganj district worried.

Residents of Bazaricherra—under Patharkandi Assembly constituency, and its neighbouring in the district urged police to take stringent action against the illegal sale of liquor and the gambling dens operating in the region. As the locals claim, such activities have gained momentum since the past few weeks.

Students turning addicts, say villagers

The villagers alleged that the authorities have turned blind eye to the unabated sale of liquor in tea stalls, paan shops and local hotels. Youngsters, especially students, are falling prey to alcohol addiction, they claimed.

‘Joblessness leading to addiction’

“The area turns into a haven of anti-social elements and addicts after sunset. Miscreants in inebriated state often create ruckus here. Women feel unsafe to go out of their homes after sunset,” a resident of Bazaricherra village said.

Locals claimed that the people—who have returned jobless from other places in the country because of the pandemic, are turning to gambling and liquor addiction.

Some of the worst-hit areas include Lowairpua, Salgai, Haribashar, Kotamoni, Manikbond, Rangamati, Shibergul and Baithakhal.

Police assures action

When contacted, the officer in-charge of Bazaricherra police station Manoranjan Sinha said necessary action would be taken soon to curb the unlawful practices.

Excise official, S. Paul, revealed that the department has already received complaints about illegal liquor sale in Bazaricherra. Operations would be carried out in this regard soon, he added.