At least 32 policemen were injured, four of them seriously, after protests demanding closure of a country liquor shop turned violent in Kidangipaar village of Amgaon tehsil in Maharashtra’s Gondia district, around 150 km from Nagpur, earlier this week. The clash broke out on Monday when police reached the village to arrest a key protester, triggering stone-pelting and arson by a mob. Around 80 villagers have been named in an FIR, while a woman police officer suffered multiple fractures, officials told TOI.
The situation escalated when a police team arrived at the residence of protester Santosh Donode to arrest him and his family members following an earlier dispute. Soon, hundreds of villagers gathered and demanded immediate closure of the liquor outlet.
What began as a protest turned violent, with some demonstrators allegedly pelting stones at police. In the ensuing clash, 32 personnel were injured, prompting police to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd and restore order.
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Several villagers were also injured. Donode, along with his wife Vaishnavi and daughter Charulata, was arrested and remanded to four-day police custody. A case has been registered against 80 villagers on charges including rioting, causing hurt and obstructing public servants.
The agitation began on March 20, when villagers staged demonstrations at the Amgaon tehsil office and submitted a memorandum seeking permanent closure of the shop and a referendum on the issue.
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Despite appeals, villagers continued their sit-in protest outside Amgaon police station, demanding the release of the arrested family members.
Authorities have deployed additional police forces in the area as the April 10 deadline set by protesters approaches. “Police have urged residents to maintain peace and resolve the issue through democratic means rather than confrontation,” Bhamare told TOI, adding that efforts are ongoing to defuse tensions through dialogue.
The situation escalated when a police team arrived at the residence of protester Santosh Donode to arrest him and his family members following an earlier dispute. Soon, hundreds of villagers gathered and demanded immediate closure of the liquor outlet.
What began as a protest turned violent, with some demonstrators allegedly pelting stones at police. In the ensuing clash, 32 personnel were injured, prompting police to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd and restore order.
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Several villagers were also injured. Donode, along with his wife Vaishnavi and daughter Charulata, was arrested and remanded to four-day police custody. A case has been registered against 80 villagers on charges including rioting, causing hurt and obstructing public servants.
Village unrest over liquor shop
Kidangipaar, a village of around 2,500 residents known for its cleanliness and communal harmony, has been tense amid a sustained agitation against the liquor shop. Women have been leading the protests, alleging that the outlet is harming families, disturbing social stability and affecting development.The agitation began on March 20, when villagers staged demonstrations at the Amgaon tehsil office and submitted a memorandum seeking permanent closure of the shop and a referendum on the issue.
Earlier tensions and police action
On April 5, a police team visited Donode’s residence to serve a prohibitory notice, which he allegedly refused to accept, leading to a brief scuffle. When police returned the next day to arrest him, tensions escalated as villagers surrounded the team and demanded that the entire community be arrested if action was taken against Donode.Also Read: Forget walking after meals: Anti-ageing influencer Bryan Johnson does this '10-count' exercise for blood sugar control & weight loss
Administration response and security measures
Senior officials rushed to the spot and appealed for calm. “The protest revolves around a licensed liquor shop and the referendum was delayed due to technical reasons. The state excise department has been requested to shut the outlet, considering the law and order situation,” Superintendent of Police Gorakh Bhamare told TOI.Despite appeals, villagers continued their sit-in protest outside Amgaon police station, demanding the release of the arrested family members.
Authorities have deployed additional police forces in the area as the April 10 deadline set by protesters approaches. “Police have urged residents to maintain peace and resolve the issue through democratic means rather than confrontation,” Bhamare told TOI, adding that efforts are ongoing to defuse tensions through dialogue.
