Patna : Now 10 more people have died after allegedly consuming poisonous liquor in Siwan and Saran districts of Bihar, taking the death toll in this tragedy to 35. In this regard, Saran Range DIG Police Nilesh Kumar said today, “So far 28 people have died due to drinking suspected illegal liquor in Maghar and Auriya Panchayats of Siwan district. “In Ibrahimpur area of Mashrakh police station area of Saran district, 7 people have also died due to drinking suspected illicit liquor.”
At the same time, a round of political allegations and counter-allegations is also going on in the state regarding this suspicious liquor tragedy. Opposition parties are questioning the effectiveness of the ban on sale and consumption of liquor imposed by the Nitish Kumar government more than eight years ago. Locals in both the districts claimed that people lost their lives after “drinking illicit liquor”. Local police officials, on condition of anonymity, claimed that more than 25 people from both the districts are still fighting for their lives in various hospitals in Siwan, Saran and Patna.
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Regarding the matter, DIG Nilesh Kumar said that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem and the exact cause of death will be known only after receiving the post-mortem report. The identities of the dead and those under treatment have not been disclosed yet. The police have so far arrested about 15 people in connection with the incidents that took place in these two districts. After the incident, the administration of both the districts has suspended three watchmen from Maghar, Auriya and Ibrahimpur areas. Another senior police officer said 'show cause' notices have been issued to at least five policemen.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had last Wednesday taken information about the progress of investigation into the deaths due to suspected poisonous liquor in Siwan and Saran. The Chief Minister had directed the Bihar Director General of Police to personally monitor the situation and ensure that “strict action is taken against those involved in the crime”. The Chief Minister also directed Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, Secretary, Prohibition and Excise Department, and ADG (Prohibition) of Bihar Police to personally visit the areas where the incident took place and thoroughly investigate the matter.
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Regarding this incident, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav wrote in a post on social media platform 'X' on Friday, “Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should be blamed for the recent deaths in the state. This is a mass murder. Liquor ban is an example of institutional corruption of Nitish government. It is the responsibility of the government to implement prohibition effectively… but it is not happening… prohibition is a super flop in Bihar today.”
He further wrote, “Due to the unholy nexus between ruling leaders, police and liquor mafia, a black market of illicit liquor worth more than Rs 30,000 crore has flourished in Bihar. According to state government records, the death toll from drinking spurious liquor is more than 300. Who is his murderer? ,
Here, reacting to this incident, BJP's Bihar unit chief Dilip Jaiswal told reporters on Friday that this incident is very sad and those responsible for it will be caught very soon.
He said, “The NDA government in the state is committed to effectively implementing liquor prohibition. As long as there was sale of liquor in Bihar, there were many crimes against women. Those who are demanding removal of liquor ban in the state are in nexus with the liquor mafia.” Along with this, Jaiswal said that the NDA government cannot think about generating revenue and earning money after lifting the prohibition, as is being demanded by a section of leaders. He said, “People can earn money even by going to red light areas.” (with agency input)
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