Bihar: Death Toll In Hooch Tragedy Rises To 24 As Crackdown On Illicit Liquor Intensifies

According to Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj, the death toll in the liquor tragedy that struck Bihar’s Siwan and Saran districts has risen to 24.

The fatalities occurred after several individuals consumed toxic, spurious liquor on Tuesday evening, prompting a widespread investigation and crackdown on illegal alcohol operations in the region.

By Thursday, authorities confirmed 20 deaths in Siwan and reported four more fatalities in Saran district.

DGP Raj confirmed that the consumption of adulterated alcohol directly caused all the deaths.

He stated, “The deaths of 24 individuals directly linked to the consumption of the spurious liquor and the Bihar police are handling the matter with utmost seriousness.”

The DGP further asserted they will take strict action against the guilty.

Additionally, authorities in the affected districts have launched an operation to combat the illicit liquor trade.

“Upon learning about the incidents, the Superintendents of Police (SPs) from both districts, along with the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) from the Saran range, inspected the affected areas and interrogated the suspected individuals, followed by their detentions,” DGP Raj added.

Bihar DGP: 10 Arrested; Liquor Mafia Under Investigation

The Bihar DGP further said, “Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the illegal liquor supply in these two districts, and they were being interrogated. During interrogation, the accused revealed names of the liquor mafias involved in the supply chain, and the authorities are preparing to take decisive action against those responsible.”

“We have sent the officials from the Liquor Prohibition Department to visit the affected areas. We have also directed them to do the profiling of the areas to trace the supply routes of the illicit liquor and identify the liquor mafias behind the operation,” he added.

The tragic incident in Siwan occurred in the Maghar Kodia Panchayat, under the jurisdiction of Bhagwanpur Haat police station.

Authorities have lodged an FIR, and a thorough investigation is underway.

Similarly, in Saran’s Brahimpur village, police registered another FIR at Mashrakh police station, with local officials intensifying efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

The hooch tragedy has cast a grim spotlight on Bihar’s ongoing battle against illegal alcohol in the state, where prohibition laws have been in place since 2016.

The Bihar government continues to face challenges in enforcing these laws, as bootleggers and liquor mafias find new ways to evade detection.

In response, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to curtail the illegal trade and prevent future loss of life.

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