Himalayan News Service

Damak, March 3:

The indigenous women in south-west Jhapa district are sustaining themselves by selling home-brewed alcohol despite the administration’s ban on its sale. These women are neither aware that brewing alcohol at home is illegal nor do they know that sale of such a alcohol is not allowed. Women especially from Santhal, Tajpuria, Dhimal and Satar communities living in South Jhapa’s Gauradaha, Gaurigunj, Topgachhi, Lakhanpur, Korobari, Kohabara areas are involved in this occupation. “It is our ancestral occupation. We do not know whether it is good or not as long as we can sustain ourselves,” said Santamaya Dhimal of Lakhanpur. According to her, she supports her children’s education with whatever she earns.

Like Santamaya, Biniya Tajpuriya of Gauradaha, also sells home- brewed alcohol. “I sell alcohol in the nearby Haat Bazaar.” The locally brewed alcohol has market in Budhbare Haat in Damak, Lakhanpur Bazaar and Bihibare Haat of Gauradaha. She brews about 100 litres of alcohol every week and makes a profit of Rs 150. Similarly, Devi Acharya of the local Lalima Women’s Group said that indigenous women are forced to take up this occupation due to poverty. Most of them sell the brew in their houses. There are 11 such places in Dhimal and Santhal Toles of Ward No 4 in Lakhanpur. The alcohol is sold in local bazaars, Damak, Urlabari, Pathari, Kanepokhari and Laxmi Marg.

Lakhi Ram Santhal, the secretary of Indigenous People’s Santhal Association, said these women are unaware of the ban and the problem it creates in society. “It is not wise to do anything which harms the society but they cannot give up this occupation as they have nothing else to do.” Former member of Jhapa DDC, Kamal Guragai, said an awareness campaign can bring change in women’s attitude towards this occupation but they should be provided with alternatives, he said. Dinmaya Dhimal from Damak’s Dakini, who has been selling alcohol in Damak’s Budhbare said, “We know that alcohol is not good but we don’t have any choice.” Some Bhutanese refugees are also involved in brewing alcohol in the camps which they supply to the local market but the exact quantity cannot be ascertained.