Chikkamagaluru: The women of Maslapura Village in Kadur Taluk of the district hit headlines on Sunday November 14 for beging into a bar and restaurant in the village. The women opposed the opening of bar in village as it destructs peaceful atmosphere as it allegedly prompts men to take up drinking.
But the influential bar owner managed to get the license for opening of bar. The women of the village unitedly barged into bar on Sunday November 14 and ransacked furniture. But followed by complaint of the owner police Sub-Inspector Ramya and staff picked up 3 women and five men on Monday November 15. The villagers alleged that the police even broke the door and tiles of the house.
Maslapura is a tiny village with just 150 houses. Most of the villagers are daily wage workers and small farmers. When a person made attempt to open bar the villages filed objection with Emmedoddi Gram Panchayat. But the authorities issued license. The bar is near girls hostel for high school students. When three women went to the bar to question about opening of bar, it is alleged that the bar owner and workers misbehaved with them. Enraged over incident women ransacked the bar.
Police have registered cases against 41 persons including 17 women under IPC sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 323, 324, 504, 506, 447, 427, 114, and 149. Most of the accused have left the village fearing police arrest. Villagers alleged that police broke door and tiles while arresting the accused.
When contacted Kadur Police Station Sub-Inspector Ramya denied police atrocities. She said that villagers were staging protest since a week, and it is us who gave protection to them. If we were in support of bar owners we would have arrested all the accused before complaint filed by the bar owner itself. She said that police acted as per the law and never tortured anyone.
It is said that five persons partnered to open the bar in village which threatened to paralyse normal life of villagers with fear of poor men becoming addicted to alcoholism.
