Half a dozen people die by consuming spurious liquor in Bihar

Despite alcohol being banned in the state of Bihar since 2016, the consumption of illicit liquor has claimed the lives of six people living in West Champaran. The police have detained six people for questioning in the case and also seized around 2,000 litres of liquor from various places.

West Champaran: As many as 16 people have died under mysterious circumstances in the last two days in Bihar's West Champaran district, out of which six are said to be died by consuming poisonous liquor. The incident happened in some villages in the Lauria block of the district. According to the report, the police have detained six people for questioning in the case and also destroyed around 2,000 litres of liquor from various places in Narkatiganj city of the district. An investigation team from Patna has also reached and questioning the locals.

Speaking to the media, local residents of Lauria were confident that the deaths were caused due to spurious liquor. They also said that despite alcohol being banned in the state, spurious liquor is being sold in the village. "Many a time, the administration conducted raids in the area and detained people indulged in making spurious liquor but later they were set free. The locals raised their voices against this on numerous occasions but the administration did not take any strict action to stop the illegal sale of the liquor," said a resident.

Meanwhile, Saddam Hussain, the trainee DSP of the area, said that acting on a tip-off the police have destroyed illegal distilleries at various places in the city. He said the police have launched an operation to nab liquor mafias of the area. The District Magistrate of West Champaran and the Superintendent of Police, Bettiah have also requested the residents to not hide the symptoms of poisoning due to the consumption of spurious alcohol of any person and inform the medical team as soon as possible so that the person could be cured.

Also, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi had informed about the investigation. "The investigation is underway. Officers concerned are working on it. The locals are not ready to talk about it. We are closely monitoring the situation," she said. However, reacting to Deputy CM's comment, Bihar Congress in-charge Bhakt Charan Das said that a team of Congress party will visit the area on Sunday to take stock of the incident. "Instead of making a statement on the matter, the Deputy CM should have visited the area and meet people," he added.