Thirteen persons have died after reportedly consuming spurious liquor in Gopalganj town of Bihar. A major cause of concern in a state that has a blanket ban imposed on production and consumption of alcohol. While the first death was reported on Tuesday morning, the toll rose to 13 over the last 24 hours. Two more are reported to be critical at a government hospital.
The administration on Wednesday morning ordered a probe after families claimed it to be a hooch tragedy. All the victims were residents of Nonia Tola locality.
Families had reported that the victims had complained of uneasiness and breathlessness, followed by stomach pain and vomiting after they consumed “desi” alcohol on Tuesday evening.
The incident has exposed that despite total prohibition on liquor consumption in Bihar since April 5 this year, alcohol is available in the black market.
It is said that at least 4,707 people were arrested during the last four months and 3,719 FIRs were lodged in connection with flouting of the liquor ban.
While imposing the ban in April this year, Nitish Kumar had promised that necessary action would be taken against police officials if they fail to implement the liquor ban. The police have detained four people and seized huge quantities of country-made liquor from the area.
The Logical Indian hopes that the Nitish Kumar government will look into this matter seriously as this is a total failure of the system. If culprits are not dealt with seriously, this menace will never stop and will encourage more illegal sales of alcohol.
