Bihar hooch tragedy: Days after the hooch tragedy in Chhapra, at least 5 people died after consuming spurious alcohol in Siwan in Bihar. Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016. Afer the deaths, the angry crowd from various villages under Bhagwanpur PS, Siwanare started protesting by blocking the Chapra-Malmaliya road along with the body. The administration has taken cognisance of the matter.
The Chhapra hooch tragedy toll has now reached 50. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Friday seeking an SIT probe into the tragedy. The plea seeks an independent probe and formulation of action plan to curb the manufacturing, trading and sale of illicit liquor. The PIL further seeks compensation for the victims’ families who lost their lives in the tragedy. An SIT has already been set up in the state which consists of 31 police officials, and is headed by an additional SP and three deputy SPs.
The DM also said that action raids across the district have been conducted and 126 traders involved in selling locally brewed country liquor have been caught.
Meanwhile, a political uproar has erupted over the incident. While an unfazed Chief Minister has repeatedly said that there would be no compensation for the kin of the victims, the Opposition is continuously mounting pressure that the prohibition should be lifted. BJP also accused the CM of making a "shameful" statement with his remarks that "jo piyega woh marega (those who drink may die as well)", saying instead of reaching out to the families who have lost their members to the tragedy he has been "insensitive and cruel".
CM Nitish Kumar in assembly again reteirated on Friday, "No compensation will be given to people who died after drinking...We have been appealing- if you drink, you will die...those who talk in favour of drinking will not bring any good to you..."
