Patna, India — A fatal incident involving the consumption of illicit liquor has claimed the lives of at least eight people in Bihar’s Siwan and Saran districts, with several others hospitalized in critical condition. Local authorities reported the casualties following the intake of the spurious substances, highlighting a recurring issue of illegal alcohol consumption in the region.
In Siwan, district authorities have confirmed the deaths of six individuals, while Saran reported two fatalities. The incident has prompted immediate hospitalization of over a dozen people, some of whom are in severe condition, hinting that the death toll could potentially rise.
Local officials in Siwan disclosed that 15 individuals were initially brought to a local hospital, out of which three were urgently referred to a medical facility in Patna due to their critical state. Siwan District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta indicated that legal proceedings are underway against local law enforcement officials, including the Station House Officer and Prohibition Assistant Sub-Inspector from Bhagwanpur police station, for potential lapses in enforcing the prohibition law.
Meanwhile, the Saran district reported that the poisonous liquor incident occurred in the Ibrahimpur area, where three people were hospitalized. The district administration, under magistrate Aman Samir, confirmed two deaths and noted that investigations are in progress to ascertain further details and prevent future incidents.
Authorities suspect the liquor was distributed illegally in both districts, leading to severe health repercussions among the victims, including vision loss, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Despite rigorous prohibition laws enacted in April 2016, which ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in Bihar, illicit liquor-related incidents continue to plague the state, causing multiple fatalities and severe health crises.
The ongoing issue has reignited debates regarding the effectiveness of the prohibition policy in Bihar, with many local residents and political figures calling for its reassessment. Critics of the policy argue that instead of curbing alcohol consumption, the ban has fueled the rise of illegal hooch, putting lives at risk due to the unregulated nature of bootlegged spirits.
The tragedies highlight the challenges faced by local authorities to enforce prohibition laws effectively, despite repeated incidents. In a notable event in 2022, the Saran district witnessed at least 73 deaths linked to similar circumstances, marking it as the deadliest hooch tragedy in the state’s recent history.
In response to these recurring events, some officials advocate for a reconsideration of prohibition policies to possibly include regulated sales that ensure the safety of alcoholic beverages. However, Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has firmly denied compensation for the victims’ families, reiterating the state’s commitment to maintaining a dry law.
As the community mourns the loss and authorities continue their investigations, the incident underscores the dire need for stringent oversight and public awareness to combat the illicit trade and consumption of alcohol in Bihar. The state governs with an iron fist on prohibition, but as events unfold, it becomes increasingly apparent that new strategies may be needed to prevent further loss of life.