Mudigere: Bilugula villagers blocked vehicular movement on National Highway 173 against sale of liquor by grocers on the outskirts of the village.
The protesting villagers alleged that liquor was being sold by 14 grocers from morning till midnight in the village outskirts. Excise officials are supporting the illegal trade under their nose, they further alleged.
The local gram panchayat has failed to take action against the offenders despite lodging complaints, they said.
Men reach home drunk during wee hours in the morning, said protesting women. Officials are controlled by the liquor lobby and their inept action is only aggravates the problem, protestors added.
They demanded action against the grocers selling liquor as well as those in supply chain.
When police arrived in full strength to control the agitators, they let the vehicles pass through on the highway and then shifted their agitation to Bilugula gram panchayat offices.