Naranpura residents took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the police inaction against liquor dens operated by a woman bootlegger in the area.

Around 500 people staged a demonstration and blocked traffic near Juna Vadaj Circle in the morning as a protest against the police failure to curb bootlegging in the area. When personnel from the Naranpura police station reached the spot, the demonstrators pelted stones at them and also vandalised their vehicles. The police resorted to mild lathicharge and lobbed six teargas shells to control the raging mob. Later, 18 protestors were arrested on rioting charges.

The mob was protesting against the liquor dens operated by woman bootlegger, Savita, in Hanumanpura Na Khado area in Old Vadaj. Some residents of the area had on Tuesday lodged an FIR against Savita and her husband, Ranjeet Rao. Savita was arrested, but secured bail the next day. Soon, she resumed her business, said the protestors.

“Savita’s men had even beaten up residents who had filed a police complaint against her. Instead of taking action against her, the police took her counter complaint alleging harassment by residents. The police are hand in glove with Savita,” said Congress councillor from the area, Naran Patel.

The demonstrators alleged that the Naranpura police are aware of bootlegging, but refuse to take any action against the woman for the fear of losing their commission. N D Parmar, Assistant Commissioner of Police, B Division, said, “We have closed down all liquor dens in the area after the hooch tragedy and no policeman refuses to take action against bootleggers.”

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