According to information provided by District Police Office, Baitadi, alcohol has claimed lives of as many as five persons so far and 90 percent crime rate has been increased in the district. Bishnu Bahadur Karki, deputy superintendent of police, said alcohol has been the root cause of the increasing crimes. [break]
Kundra Saud of Sharmali-4, Nardev Khatri of Bhatena-9, Arjun Bista of Shrikot VDC and Shiva Ram Pokharel of Maharudra-2 have all died due to alcohol, Karki said. Recently a son killed his father in Dehimandau in an intoxicated state, he further added.
The recent increase in crimes in the district has been directly or indirectly triggered by alcohol, Karki stressed. According to Sarswati Nepali, a women rights activist said that the rise in domestic violence and violence against women is also due to rampant sale of alcohol.
Although a proposal in the year 2006/07 to announce Baitadi an alcohol free district has been passed by the district council, no strict measures have been taken so far to control the rampant sale of alcoholic beverages, Nepali informed.
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