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The recent hooch tragedy in Bihar, which claimed the lives of 25 people, has ignited a political storm in the state, with opposition leaders criticising the ineffective enforcement of the liquor ban.
Bihar's Director General of Police (DGP), Alok Raj, stated on Thursday that 25 people had died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in two separate incidents in Siwan and Saran. Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the case. Describing the tragedy as "tragic," Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor said on Thursday that the state's liquor ban is not enforced anywhere, existing only in government files and political speeches. "For the past three years, I have been publicly stating on every platform that the liquor ban is not implemented anywhere in Bihar. It only exists in government records and political speeches. Yesterday's incident is deeply unfortunate. Over 70 people died in Chhapra 1.5 years ago. There is no district in Bihar where deaths from poisonous liquor haven't occurred. Many incidents go unreported... Only corrupt leaders and mafias are benefiting from this. The government is so insensitive that, despite so many deaths, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won't even visit the affected areas," Kishor said. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the NDA government over the tragedy, which has claimed 25 lives, and said the state is "no longer secure" under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi argued that the liquor ban is only "on paper" and has not been properly enforced. "Bihar is no longer secure under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The double-engine government has completely failed. The liquor ban is merely on paper," the RJD leader told ANI on Thursday. He further stated that no one from the Bihar government had shown any empathy over the incident. "It is unfortunate that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not yet expressed his condolences... No one has visited the victims. No one from the state government has shown any empathy," Yadav said. He went on to accuse the government of attempting to cover up its mistakes. "The problem is that the government is trying to hide its mistakes... They want to show that no deaths have occurred due to poisonous liquor... The entire Excise Department of Bihar is now operating like a gang... Not a single officer has faced action... There is no village in Bihar where liquor is not available... The Chief Minister holds review meetings just to get photographed. If review meetings are being held, what are the outcomes? Who is being held accountable?... Surprisingly, the DGP is absent from these meetings, and the Principal Secretary is also not present," Tejashwi Yadav said. Meanwhile, Bihar DGP Alok Raj vowed strict action against those allegedly involved in the incident. Raj added that evidence is being collected from the arrested individuals regarding the 'liquor mafia.' "Information about the 'liquor mafia' has been obtained from those arrested. Strict action will be taken against everyone involved in this network," he said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a high-level review meeting on Thursday following reports of the spurious liquor deaths in Siwan and Saran (Chhapra). After the meeting, the CM directed the Secretary of the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department to visit the area, gather information, and conduct a thorough investigation, according to a statement from the CMO. Saran Superintendent of Police, Kumar Ashish, stated that the substance involved appeared to be industrial spirit, and investigations into its supply chain are ongoing. Speaking to ANI, Ashish said, "The substance is reported to be industrial spirit, and we are investigating its supply chain. Local police officers have been suspended, and the SHO and other personnel have been questioned. If their responses are unsatisfactory, further action will be taken. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed. In the last 24 hours, we have conducted 250 raids, recovering 1,650 litres of alcohol in the district." Saran District Magistrate, Aman Samir, said that the families of the deceased must pledge their support for the state's liquor ban to be eligible for compensation. Samir told ANI, "The families of the deceased must pledge their support for the liquor ban and express opposition to alcohol. If the post-mortem reports meet the necessary conditions, an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh will be provided to the families." (ANI)
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