Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, January 15
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s much publicised Samaj Sudhar Yatra (social reform campaign) concluded with a tragic note as 10 people died after consuming spurious liquor in his home town Nalanda on Saturday.
On December 20, Kumar started his three weeks long Samaj Sudhar Yatra (social reform campaign) from Motihari, headquarters of East Champaran district with focus on total liquor prohibition. It concluded on January 11 and within four days, tragedy struck in his home town.
However, officers claimed eight deaths.
According to Nalanda police, some residents of Chhoti Pahari area of Sohasrai, 75 kms from Patna had consumed illicit liquor. The relative complained liquor was locally available though there was total prohibition in the state since April 5, 2015.
Acting on the information given by the villagers, police searched in the neighbourhood and arrested two persons. Combing operation is on to trace the source of liquor supply, police said.
Police said some people are admitted in hospital at Biharsharif district headquarters.
IG of police of Central zone is camping at Sohasrai.
Last year, 90 people had died in different parts of Bihar following consumption of liquor
BJP state president Sanjay Jaiswal has demanded review of prohibition policy which was rejected by the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar last month.
Jaiswal said prohibition was a mockery and law was defective. He cited a case in which a family going to Darjeeling from New Delhi in a private vehicle was arrested as one liquor bottle was found with them.They were going for New Year’s celebrations, Jaiswal said.
