Guwahati: The death toll in the Chhapra hooch tragedy in Saran district of Bihar has soared to 39 due to the consumption of spurious liquor.
On the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer Yogendra Kumar, the Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended immediately following the Chhapra Hooch tragedy.
Bihar excise Minister Sunil Kumar “confirmed” on Wednesday that six persons had allegedly consumed fake alcohol in the Chhapra area of the Saran district of Bihar before passing away. A minister from Bihar “promised” that the government would take “stern action” against those guilty for the fatalities.
“Process of filling an FIR is underway. I have spoken over the phone with SP. He confirmed the death of six people so far,” Sunil Kumar had said after being asked about police taking any action in this case.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bihar Minister SK Mahaseth advised the state’s residents to stop drinking.
While speaking with the media, Mahaseth added, “Best if you give up drinking. Poison and not liquor are coming here. If we build strength via sports, we might tolerate it but people will have to build that strength. Give it up! It’s prohibited & being wrongly pushed here,” said Mahaseth.
The Nitish Kumar administration banned the sale and use of alcohol in Bihar in April 2016.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lost his composure in the state assembly after opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders criticised his administration over a number of fatalities linked to fake alcohol in the Chhapra area of Saran district.
The head of Janata Dal-United criticised the BJP for denouncing the deaths as Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha questioned the state’s policies on the prohibition of alcohol since 2016.
Nitish Kumar lost his temper in the House and screamed at the BJP MLAs ”Sharabi ho gaye ho tum…(you are drunk)”
Later, opposition members from Bihar staged a protest outside the state assembly in response to the incident.