Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, April 15
In yet another major hooch tragedy in West Champaran district, 22 people have died and 12 admitted in hospitals at Muzaffarpur and Motihari Sadar hospitals.
Villagers admitted they had consumed liquor manufactured locally after harvesting of wheat crops. Police have arrested seven people, according to DIG of Champaran range Jayant Kant.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed regret over the liquor tragedy and said he has asked the district magistrate to send a detailed report. A medical team has been sent to Lakshmipur village in Motihari sub-division, where 11 people died.
Those admitted in the hospital admitted they had consumed “local liquor” supplied by Jara Ram of the same village. In one family, father son duo-Nawal Das and Premendra Das and daughter-in-law died after consuming liquor. Their neighbour Harilal Das is among those dead.
Pramod and Rameshwar admitted at Sadar Hospital said they too had purchased locally manufactured liquor which is available in plenty,
This is the third major liquor tragedy in last couple of months. Earlier, Saran and Siwan districts and reported over 50 deaths this year.
According to officials in the Excise and Prohibition department, five lakh people had been arrested since 2016, when prohibition was imposed in Bihar. However, conviction rate is not even 1 per cent, they said
