As many as 20 people died due to the consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan, as per SP Amitesh Kumar. According to Chapra Superintendent Kumar Ashish, a Special Investigation Team has been formed. An FIR has been registered against eight people and three people have been arrested. Additionally, the local Chowkidar and Panchayat Beat Police officers have also been suspended. An explanation has been sought from the SHO of the Masrak Police station and the Masrak Zone ALTF in charge of the departmental action.
District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta said that legal action is being taken against Bhagwanpur SHO and Prohibition ASI of the Bhagwanpur Police Station.
Bihar Excise Minister reacts
Bihar Excise Minister Ratnesh Sada said that the culprits in the incident will not be spared.
"We stand with the families of the deceased in these grave times... The culprits will not be spared. Officials and concerned police personnel in the area have been suspended... 22 people are undergoing treatment. 3 people have lost their eyesight. 2 people have lost their lives in Chhapra and 6 have died in Siwan. SIT has been formed..." he said.
Saran DM announces conditional ex-gratia
Saran DM Aman Samir said, "Kin of the deceased will have to take a pledge that they are in favour of liquor ban imposed by the state government and that they are against liquor. If the postmortem report of the deceased confirms that he has died due to illicit liquor, and if the kin of the deceased fulfils the required conditions, ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each will be given to the families..."
Priyanka Gandhi attacks govt
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi lashed out at Nitish Kumar government over the incident and said that illegal trade of liquor is underway in Bihar. She demanded that the government brings this business to an end.
"The news of death of a large number of people due to consumption of poisonous liquor in Siwan and Saran districts of Bihar is extremely sad. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. A large number of people are admitted in the hospital, I pray for their speedy recovery. Liquor ban is in force in Bihar but illegal trade of poisonous liquor is going on in full swing, due to which deaths occur every day. The government should put a stop to this," she tweeted.
RJD attacks Nitish Kumar
RJD launched an attack on Nitish Kumar questioning how the spurious liquor was made available as there is a liquor ban in the state. The party held the NDA government responsible for the deaths of the people and alleged that the liquor mafias have “protection” of the state government.
"People have lost their lives by drinking spurious liquor. It is very sad and a matter of concern that despite the liquor ban law being in force in Bihar, spurious liquor is available. Every time during Holi and Diwali, it is seen how people die due to spurious liquor. NDA government is directly responsible for this. The liquor mafias have the protection of the government and as long as they have the protection of the government, the prohibition law will be violated in the same way. This NDA government is not concerned about this. How is spurious liquor available in this way when the liquor ban law is in force?" RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said.
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