💥 A License to Fail
A video that has now gone viral exposes a shocking reality in Nainpur, Mandla district — schoolgirls in uniforms walked into a government liquor shop, purchased alcohol, and left without any resistance.
The CCTV footage leaves no room for doubt: the minors were served alcohol, a criminal violation of the law, by a shop employee. The incident has triggered outrage, embarrassment for authorities, and questions about the very enforcement of liquor regulations in the state.
🏛️ 1. The Incident: Law and Logic Ignored
The footage shows girls in school uniforms with scarves covering their heads approaching the counter confidently. The shopkeeper entertains their request and completes the sale — a blatant breach of General License Conditions (GLC).
How could minors be sold alcohol in broad daylight? Was it negligence, complicity, or sheer lawlessness? This question now haunts Mandla’s administration.
🔍 2. Immediate Action: Authorities Scramble
Within hours of the video going viral:
SDM Ashutosh Thakur, along with the Tehsildar and police, reached the scene.
CCTV footage was analyzed frame by frame.
A preliminary probe confirmed the violation of liquor laws and GLC norms.
The shop owner is being interrogated. Officials are also investigating whether the girls acted alone or under guidance, raising deeper concerns about social awareness and supervision.
⚖️ 3. Punishment Promised: Licence, Fines, and Termination
district Excise Officer Ramji Pandey stated:
“The liquor shop's licence will be revoked, a penalty imposed, and the employee terminated. Selling liquor to minors is a grave violation.”
While administrative action is underway, public outrage points to a larger systemic failure. One shop closure cannot address the ease with which minors circumvent laws.
🧨 4. Public and Political Outrage
Locals have demanded strict accountability from shopkeepers and administration. social media and whatsapp messages are filled with anger and disbelief.
Political leaders have also entered the fray:
Dr. ashok Marskole, former MLA, called out bjp leaders, contrasting their inaction now with past outrage over alcohol reports.
Citizens question the state’s commitment to women’s empowerment and law enforcement when minors openly purchase liquor.
🔥 5. The Bigger Issue: Enforcement, Awareness, and Culture
This is not just a single shop’s failure. The incident highlights:
Weak enforcement of liquor laws in government-run outlets
Lack of social awareness among students and families
Potential complicity or negligence within local administration
When government licensing systems fail and laws are ignored publicly, the message to society is clear — rules exist on paper, not in practice.
🔚 FINAL WORD: Accountability Cannot Wait
Selling alcohol to minors isn’t just a “licence violation” — it’s a crime against society’s youth.
Mandla’s administration must go beyond terminating a shop employee:
Investigate how minors accessed the outlet
Strengthen enforcement mechanisms
Launch awareness campaigns in schools
Until systemic change happens, videos like these will continue to shock the nation, proving that laws alone cannot protect children — vigilance, accountability, and action must.
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