Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, November 5
In a series of tragic incidents, at least 25 people died and several others fell ill after consuming spurious liquor in Gopalganj and West Champaran districts of Bihar, where total prohibition is in place.
The incident had taken place in last two days while celebrations were on after panchayat elections. Eight persons died on Thursday after allegedly consuming hooch in Telhua village at Bettiah, the headquarters of West Champaran district. While the toll in another incident of consumption of suspected spurious liquor in Gopalganj climbed to 16 on the same day with six more deaths being confirmed by the district authorities.
Similar incidents has been reported from Chapra and Muzaffarpur. The official sources have confirmed the toll figure that is likely to increase as many people hospitalised are in a critical condition.
Police admitted that the people died of “poisonous” liquor locally available. Four people have been arrested.
In Mohammadpur village in Gopalganj district, eight people died in the night and two more succumbed on way to Patna medical College hospital. In neighbouring West Champaran district too, 10 people died after consuming liquor at Nautan village.
Family members claimed that they had joined a party in the village last night and after their return they complained of loss of eye sights. They were shifted to Sadar hospital, where they died in the morning.
According to police, eight more are admitted in hospital. Liquor was imported in polyethene bags from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh as the two districts are close to Gorakhpur.
There is total liquor prohibition in Bihar since April 1, 2016. Elections for the three tier Panchyati Raj institutions are going in the state in 18 phases.
