Tragic Losses in Bihar: Six Dead, 14 Hospitalized After Consuming Spurious Liquor Despite Prohibition
At least six people have died, and 14 others have been hospitalized after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the dry state of Bihar, specifically in the Siwan and Saran districts. This tragic incident occurred despite the state’s strict prohibition laws, highlighting ongoing challenges with the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol.
In Siwan, four deaths were reported, while two additional fatalities occurred in Saran. The victims are believed to have consumed the toxic liquor on Tuesday night, which led to them falling critically ill. According to Siwan District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta, the authorities were informed of the deaths early on Wednesday morning. “Around 7:30 a.m., we received information that three individuals had died under mysterious circumstances in the Maghar and Auriya panchayats,” Gupta said. Local officials were immediately dispatched to investigate the situation. Twelve more people were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, but tragically, one of them died en route.
The bodies of the victims have been sent for post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death. However, villagers in the area alleged that the deaths were caused by the consumption of spurious liquor. At this point, officials have not disclosed the identities of those who have died or are currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The Siwan district administration has launched a high-level inquiry into the incident, with a dedicated team from the Prohibition and Excise Department tasked with investigating the matter. “We are taking this matter very seriously, and a thorough investigation is underway,” Gupta said. In addition to the investigation, two local chowkidars from Maghar and Auriya panchayats have been suspended for their failure to prevent the illegal sale of alcohol in the area. Further disciplinary action is expected to be taken against local police officials for negligence.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related incident in Saran district, two more people died, and three others were hospitalized after allegedly consuming toxic liquor. Saran District Magistrate Aman Samir confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred in the Ibrahimpur area under the jurisdiction of the Mushrakh police station. “Based on information received about suspected hooch deaths, police have begun an investigation. As of now, two people have died, and three others are receiving treatment in the hospital,” Samir told PTI. The bodies of the deceased have also been sent for post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death.
This tragic incident is part of a larger issue in Bihar, where the sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned since April 2016 under the Nitish Kumar government. Despite the prohibition, illegal alcohol continues to be produced and sold, often with devastating consequences. The Bihar government has admitted that more than 150 people have died as a result of consuming illicit liquor since the implementation of the ban.
While the prohibition law was introduced with the aim of curbing alcohol-related problems such as domestic violence and addiction, it has given rise to a thriving black market for illegal liquor. Many argue that the ban has made the situation worse, as people turn to unsafe, homemade alternatives that are often contaminated with toxic substances.
The consumption of spurious liquor, also known as hooch, has led to numerous deaths in Bihar over the years. These incidents have sparked debates about the effectiveness of the prohibition policy and the need for stricter enforcement of the law. The state government has faced criticism for failing to prevent the illegal sale of alcohol and for the widespread availability of toxic liquor in various districts.
The latest incidents in Siwan and Saran districts have once again brought the issue to the forefront, raising questions about the government’s ability to enforce its own laws and protect citizens from the dangers of illicit alcohol. As investigations continue, the families of the victims are left to cope with the devastating consequences of a policy that, despite its intentions, has failed to prevent tragedies such as these.
In response to the growing number of hooch-related deaths, there have been calls for the government to rethink its approach to alcohol prohibition. Some suggest that lifting the ban and implementing strict regulations on the sale of alcohol might be a more effective way to reduce the consumption of dangerous, illegal liquor. Others argue that the focus should be on better enforcement and cracking down on the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.
As Bihar grapples with the ongoing challenge of enforcing prohibition, the latest deaths serve as a grim reminder of the human cost of the state’s battle against illegal liquor. The government now faces the difficult task of addressing the root causes of these tragedies and finding a solution that balances public health concerns with the realities of enforcement in a state where illegal alcohol continues to claim lives.