Patna: The toll of dead in Bihar’s Chhapra Hooch tragedy has soared to 65, with 26 more people succumbing after consuming spurious liquor in Saran district.
The tragedy, the biggest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago, is the latest in a long list of such deaths in Bihar ever since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed prohibition in 2016.
The government is facing loud protests by the opposition BJP in the Assembly and outside over alleged laxity in implementing prohibition.
Nitish Kumar had yesterday refused to give compensation to the families of those killed, and said people should be “more vigilant” when the state anyway has prohibition.
The chief minister’s remark comes amid severe criticism from the Opposition, led by the BJP, in the wake of the rising hooch deaths in the Chhapra district.
“No compensation will be provided to people who die after consuming spurious liquor. We have been appealing to you not to drink. If you drink, you will die. Those who speak against prohibition will not bring any good to the people,” the Bihar CM said in the Assembly on Friday.
On Thursday, the chief minister told mediapersons: “Those consuming spurious liquor will die.”
Defending the liquor ban in Bihar, he had earlier said the state’s prohibition policy has seen many giving up drinking in the state.
Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended after the hooch deaths were reported first on Tuesday night.
Most deaths reportedly took place over Wednesday and Thursday, evoking an uproar both in and outside the Bihar Assembly.
NHRC issues notice to govt
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to the Bihar government and Director General of Police (DGP) over the hooch tragedy and sought a report within four weeks, said Jaimini Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Director, Media and Communication of NHRC.
Speaking to ANI, Srivastava said that NHRC wants to know how this happened despite a ban on liquor in the state and what action is being taken against negligent cops.
“Suo moto cognizance taken over Hooch tragedy notices issued to Chief Secretary & DGP of Bihar seeking a report within four weeks, NHRC wants to know how this happened despite a ban on liquor in state and what action is being taken against negligent cops,” Srivastava added.
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that several people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Saran district of Bihar.
“The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise concern for human rights. Apparently, the reported incident indicates the failure of the State Government to implementation of its policy of prohibition of sale and consumption of illicit/spurious liquor in the State of Bihar,” the NHRC said in a statement.
