Rudrapur, April 27 -- Women activists in Jhuni village, Bageshwar district, turned back a wedding procession on Saturday by smashing liquor bottles carried by guests, enforcing their six-month-old pledge to rid the community of alcohol and drugs amid rising concerns over family breakdowns and financial ruin. The activists denied entry to the baraatis (wedding guests) until they apologised and promised not to consume alcohol during the function. "We had pledged six months ago to make our village free of drug addiction and liquor. We noticed some baraatis were intoxicated and carrying liquor. We stopped them from entering the village and allowed them only after destroying the bottles," said Pushpa Devi, a senior woman activist of Jhuni village under Kapkot block in Bageshwar district on Sunday. The women had also decided to impose a fine of Rs.10,000 on anyone found intoxicated or supplying liquor. Activists say the rule has been enforced strictly, with no violations reported since campaign began, leading to noticeable improvements in household stability. A wedding function was under way in the village when the procession arrived. The women stopped the inebriated guests at the entrance, seized the bottles and destroyed them. Entry was granted only after the baraatis assured villagers they would abstain during the ceremony. The activists then welcomed the guests in traditional style and hosted them peacefully. The baraatis respected the village's sentiments and joined the function without incident. Khila Devi, another woman activist, said liquor had long disrupted the village's peace and drained family finances. "That is why we took a collective decision to launch an anti-liquor campaign. Now the atmosphere in the village has improved," she said....