Karnataka: Ganjgatti villagers take bootleggers head-on

HUBBALLi: People of Ganjgatti village in Kalghatagi taluk have put a blanket ban on the sale of liquor in their village. They are also keeping a tight vigil to crack down on bootleggers operating in the village.
Ganjigatti, with a population of around 6,000, has sett an example to other villages in checking liquor sale. Everyone in the village has resolved to put an end to the menace by stopping the flow of booze. Two days ago, a vigilant team intercepted a liquor-laden vehicle, caught three persons and handed them over to Kalaghatagi police for trying to supply liquor to grocery shops in the village.
Nagalingayya Hiremath, member of Ganjigatti GP, told TOI that many children in 13-16 age group had started consuming liquor during the lockdown. “As most of the schoolchildren were addicted to liquor, their worried parents approached us seeking a solution,” he said.
After a meeting with all the village heads, they decided to end the menace.
“Many grocery shops, which were selling liquor illegally were our first target. Some shop owners fell in line, while others continued to sell it. After we sought help from excise and police departments, the officers concerned visited the village and did the needful,” he said.
Shivanand Ganiger, a villager, said they had formed teams of youths and deployed each of them to keep an eye on grocery shops and other places where liquor was being sold. “Our youths have caught three bootleggers red-handed. After being summoned, police rushed the spot, seized the vehicle and took three persons into their custody,” he said.
Meeting held
Prabhu Surin, CPI of Kalaghatagi police station, said they also held a meeting in this regard. “We have also warned of action if anyone defies the liquor-ban order. The villagers had caught three persons who had entered the village to sell liquor. After taking the accused into our custody, we confiscated a car and 10 boxes of liquor from them,” he said.