Eighteen more people lost their lives after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in dry Bihar’s Siwan and Saran districts, taking the toll in the tragedy to 24, officials said on Thursday.Chief Minister Nitish Kumar instructed authorities concerned to take stringent action against those involved in the illegal trade and reminded people of ill effects of consuming spurious liquor.
The suspected hooch tragedy triggered a political blame game with opposition parties questioning the efficacy of the ban on sale and consumption of liquor, imposed by the Nitish Kumar government more than eight years ago.
“As many as twenty people in Maghar and Auriya panchayats in Siwan district have so far died for consuming suspected illicit liquor,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Saran range, Nilesh Kumar said.
Villagers in Maghar and Auriya panchayats alleged that the victims fell ill after consuming spurious liquor on Tuesday night.
Officials have not disclosed the identity of the deceased and those under treatment.
The administrations of both districts have suspended three chowkidars of Maghar, Auriya and Ibrahimpur areas following the incident, another senior officer said on Thursday.
Another senior police officer said show cause notices have been issued to at least five police personnel.
Earlier in the day, the CM inquired about the progress of the investigation into the suspected hooch deaths in Siwan and Saran.