Bihar hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 25, opposition blames Nitish Kumar government for failed liquor ban

Bihar hooch tragedy:  At least 25 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Bihar's Saran and Siwan districts after consuming spurious liquor, with officials warning that the death toll from this hooch tragedy may continue to rise. Preliminary investigations indicated that the cause of the fatalities was the consumption of methyl alcohol mixed with industrial spirit, underscoring the dangers associated with illicit liquor.

In response to this alarming situation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a high-level review meeting with Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj and officials from the Excise and Prohibition department. The chief minister directed top officials to personally visit the affected areas to assess the circumstances on the ground. He also instructed the DGP to ensure strict action against those responsible for this tragedy.

"Two special investigating teams have been established in the wake of the incident. The first team, operating at the local level, will investigate the criminal activities linked to this tragic episode. Meanwhile, another SIT has been formed by the Department of Prohibition in Patna to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all recent hooch-related incidents, from which a plan of action will be developed," the DGP stated in an interview with PTI.

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During a media briefing, DGP Alok Raj confirmed that a total of 25 people had died due to the consumption of illicit liquor, and that 12 individuals had been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy. Currently, 49 others remain hospitalized for treatment related to this incident.

In the Siwan district, 20 people died in the areas of Bhagwanpur, Madhar, Khaira, and Koudia, while five fatalities were reported in Saran. Saran District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta stated that the families of the deceased will be required to pledge their support for the liquor ban imposed by the state government. If postmortem reports satisfy specific conditions, each family will receive Rs 4 lakh as an ex-gratia payment.

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Opposition Criticism of Nitish Kumar's Government

The rising number of liquor-related deaths has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the ruling BJP alliance in Bihar.

Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition, expressed outrage, stating, “Over 30 persons have died, and many others have lost their vision, yet the Chief Minister has not even offered his condolences. This is murder. These incidents are recurring, and liquor is available everywhere. The mafia operates with impunity, causing trauma in our society.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the NDA government, pointing out that although a liquor ban is in effect in the state, illegal spurious liquor trade is thriving. Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma added, “There exists a nexus operating in the state, with mafias developing a parallel economy through rampant smuggling and the trade of illicit liquor. The government has failed to control these criminals and appears unconcerned with the effectiveness of the liquor ban.”

In defense of the government's actions, JDU spokesperson Arvind Nishad condemned the opposition's rhetoric, arguing, “The type of language used by opposition leaders only emboldens the mafia. The government is committed to dealing sternly with these elements, and further steps will be taken to dismantle the liquor mafia.”

As the situation unfolds, the Bihar government faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of the liquor ban and the rise of spurious liquor trade that has led to this tragic loss of life.

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