55-year-old woman marching for liquor ban killed in accident

BENGALURU: A 55-year-old-woman marching towards the city from Chitradurga, demanding a ban on liquor, died after a speeding motorbike hit her near Kuluvanahalli, Nelamangala, on NH 48 on Sunday evening.
Renukamma, a resident of Khairavadagi village in Lingasugur taluk, Raichur district, was among the 2,500 women who are marching towards Bengaluru from various parts of the state.
Around 10pm, Renukamma was about to cross the road after having dinner. “A motorbiker rammed Renukamma and sped. She was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to injuries early Monday,” Nelamangala police said.
Convenor of the movement Vidya Patil said Renukamma was part of the campaign for five years and had a physically challenged daughter who was dependent on her.
Nelamangala traffic police have arrested the two-wheeler rider.
The march, under the aegis of Madya Nisheda Andolana, started from Chitradurga on January 19. The women are set to reach Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday. On Sunday, women from Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Ramanagara and Chamarajanagar joined the protesters.
Most protesters are from agricultural background and claim their families have been destroyed due to alcohol addiction of their menfolk. Around 15 nurses in four ambulances are following them.
“Food and shelter have been arranged at religious places. On Sunday, we visited Siddaganga mutt and spent the night there. On Monday, we are halting at Madanayakanahalli,” Shanta Bai, a resident of Janakal, near Hosadurga, said.
The women from across 23 districts cover 20km every day and stay in villages where they create awareness among women on ill effects of liquor. They have passed through Kyadigere, Hosuru, Nityananda ashram, Javagondana Halli, Tavara Kere, Sira, Chikkanahalli, Dodda Alada Mara Cross, CB Temple, Darga Bellavi Cross, Tumakuru, Siddaganga mutt, Adichunchanagiri mutt and Kuluvanahalli.
On Sunday, Kannada writer Devanooru Mahadeva and social worker SR Hiremath wrote to chief minister HD Kumaraswamy demanding ban on liquor.