At least 39 people died in Chhapra area of Bihar’s Saran district after allegedly consuming spurious liquor on December 14. While the initial reports suggested that the tragedy claimed just three people, the toll increased to 39 later on.
Speaking on the Chhapra hooch tragedy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged people to not consume liquor. Further, he was seen blaming the victims instead of the liquor mafias and said, “if you drink, you will die.
Notably, Bihar was declared a dry state in 2015 when the CM prohibited the sale of Alcohol state-wide.
“Even when there was no liquor ban here, people died due to spurious liquor -even in other states. People should be alert. As there is a liquor ban here, something spurious will be sold due to which people die. Liquor is bad and shouldn’t be consumed,” Bihar CM said
In the assembly, BJP members demanded that the government pay compensation to the hooch victims as the deaths were a direct consequence of six years of “failed prohibition”.
Reacting to the demand of compensation said, “Last time, when people died due to spurious liquor, someone said they should be compensated. If someone consumes liquor, they will die – example is before us. This should be condoled, those places should be visited and people be explained.”
“The liquor ban has benefitted several people. A large number of people have given up alcohol…This is good. Several people have happily accepted this. But there are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them,” he added.
Blame-game in Bihar Assembly
The hooch tragedy in dry state invited sharp criticism from the Opposition parties as BJP raised the issue in the state assembly on Wednesday. While BJP sought answers from the state government, CM Nitish Kumar lost his calm and blamed the saffron camp for the loss of lives in the state due to consumption of liquor.
“What has happened to you all? You are lying. What you are demanding and doing is dirty politics. Remember what you used to say (in favour of prohibition) in the past?” Nitish said as he lost his cool.
He said, “You (BJP MLAs) are responsible for the hooch tragedies in Bihar. We all know that you are doing the dirty work. I parted ways with you… and it was my good decision. You are talking in favour of liquor in Bihar. It would not be tolerated.”
Reacting to Nitish Kumar’s outburst, BJP MP Sushi Modi said, “In past 6 years more than 1,000 people have died in Bihar due to spurious liquor and six lakhs have gone to jail. Is Bihar under police raj? The way Nitish Kumar behaved in the Assembly isn’t graceful, he should apologise.”
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said, “There is no liquor ban in Bihar, it is just Nitish Kumar’s ego. Many in my state are spoilt since they supply liquor to Bihar. As I said earlier, he will go home after 2024 and then Bihar will be free.”
Meanwhile, a total of 27 arrests were made as part of a crackdown on liquor smugglers across the district.
