Residents of Jalalpur village in Botad district’s Gadhada taluka marched 9 km to the Dhasa police station on October 16, demanding immediate action against alleged illegal liquor sales in the village and warning of a larger agitation if the activity continues.
According to a report by Sandesh, around 30 villagers, including several women, took part in the foot march from Jalalpur to the police station. The protesters alleged that the open sale of illegal liquor was damaging peace in the village and affecting family life. They called for the liquor outlets operating in Jalalpur to be shut immediately.
The protest centred on allegations that local authorities and police had failed to stop the sale. Participants carried posters bearing slogans such as “Stop liquor sales” and “Stop hafta collection”, referring to allegations of recurring illegal payments. The report did not provide an independent police response to these allegations.
The marchers reached the Dhasa police station and submitted a memorandum directly to the Dhasa police inspector. In the representation, villagers demanded that alleged liquor dens in Jalalpur be closed without delay and that enforcement action be taken against those involved in the sales.
Women were prominently involved in the protest, according to the report. The group raised slogans inside the police station premises while pressing for action. The reported participation indicates that the issue has moved beyond individual complaints and has become a collective demand for intervention by the local police administration.
The allegations relate to the enforcement of Gujarat’s prohibition regime, under which the sale and consumption of alcohol are prohibited in the state. However, the report does not specify whether police have registered a case, conducted raids, made arrests or seized liquor in connection with the villagers’ complaints.
The protest also highlights the role of the police station as the first point of formal redress for residents seeking action against illegal activity. By taking the complaint to the Dhasa police inspector, the villagers sought an official response rather than limiting the protest to public demonstrations in the village.
The residents warned that the entire village would unite for an intensified agitation if liquor sales were not completely stopped in the coming days. The next steps will depend on the response of the Dhasa police and whether the complaints lead to enforcement action against the alleged illegal liquor network.
