Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, November 6
As Hooch death toll rose to 42 on Saturday morning, police arrested 19 liquor dealers and sealed houses of six others even as further investigation had exposed startling information.
According to Samastipur district Superintendent of Police P, M S Dhillon, four more died in Samastipur district while six others from Rupauli village of Patori block were admitted in hospital.
After visiting Rupauli, Dillion said a bottle of branded McDowell was also found from the residence of Ravindra Rai, a jawan in the Indian army who had come on leave during Diwali vacation. Rai, who died in the incident, had hosted a party on Diwali, according to his father Maheshwar Rai. Three in the attendance lost their lives.
Dhillon said another party was hosted by a serving BSF officer who had also come to the village for the festival. The officer is also among the victims
The hooch tragedy that has already claimed 38 lives in Chapra, Gopalganj, West Champaran and East Champaran districts in last two days, spread to Samastipur district, 100 kms North East of Patna. With the four casualties in Samastipur, the toll has increased to 42 in the state that has total liquor prohibition.
In Bettiah, 22 people and in Gopalganj 15 people died following consumption of illicit liquor during the panchayat elections celebrations. Two persons Rajkumar Mishra and Manoranjan Singh, who were admitted in Patna medical College hospital died today. They had consumed liquor in Gopalganj on Dhanteras evening.
Villagers in Gopalganj today alleged local police had ignored their complaints against liquor vendors. The State government today suspended officers-in-charge of Nautan and Lauriya police stations on the charges of negligence.
Excise Minister Sunil Kumar today claimed since introduction of prohibition in 2015, 700 police men and officers have been sacked, six lakhs arrested and 60,000 vehicles seized.
