BELGAUM: It first happened 13 years ago. Villagers of Kalloli in Gokak taluk, in 1998, took offence to shops in their area selling gutkha. Soon, outfits like the Bajrang Dal joined the campaign—and the local administration passed a resolution banning sales of the powdery mild stimulant made of crushed arecanut and tobacco responsible for negative health effects, including oral cancer. Shops selling gutkha would be slapped a fine of Rs 1,000, while those helping catch offenders would be rewarded with Rs 100. The idea spread to a few neighbouring villages in northern Karnataka. Today, a village called Biranagaddi has collected Rs 80,000 as fine, which also means, some sale of gutkha is still happening in a covert way.