Bihar has once again been struck by a tragic hooch incident, resulting in the deaths of 25 people, with many others hospitalized. This incident has not only put the state government and administration under scrutiny but also led to sharp criticism from opposition parties. The deaths occurred in Siwan and Saran districts, where the consumption of spurious liquor has left several people blind and caused widespread alarm.
The Incident and Death Toll
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in Siwan and Saran districts of Bihar, 25 people lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor. Of these, 20 died in Siwan district, and 5 died in Saran. Several others have been hospitalized, and some have lost their eyesight due to the toxic nature of the liquor they consumed. In response to the incident, local authorities and police have made swift arrests, detaining 12 individuals who are suspected of selling the spurious liquor. Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Raj confirmed the arrests and stated that these individuals are likely to face trial under stringent laws, with the courts expected to deliver harsh punishments.
Special Investigation Teams (SITs) Formed
To address the gravity of the situation, two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been formed. One SIT at the local level will investigate the criminal aspects of the latest incident. The other SIT, established by the Department of Prohibition in Patna, will conduct a broader study of all similar incidents in the recent past and develop a comprehensive plan of action to prevent future occurrences. DGP Alok Raj also mentioned that the name of a known liquor mafia member has come up during the investigation. This individual had been involved in a similar case previously and was out on bail at the time of this incident.
Political Reactions
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and take strict action against those responsible. He has ordered that no stone be left unturned in the pursuit of justice. However, opposition leaders, particularly from the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have criticized the government for its failure to curb the illegal liquor trade in the state. They argue that despite the state’s prohibition laws, illicit liquor continues to be produced and sold, putting countless lives at risk. Prohibition, Excise, and Registration Minister Ratnesh Sada has called for invoking the Crime Control Act against the liquor mafia to ensure that those responsible face the harshest legal consequences.
Hospitalizations and Loss of Eyesight
In addition to the fatalities, several individuals who consumed the spurious liquor are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals. Some of these individuals have lost their eyesight as a result of the toxic chemicals in the liquor. According to relatives of Dharmendra Shah, a 32-year-old from Ibrahimpur village in Saran district, he complained of blindness after consuming the liquor and was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. This tragic incident has spread across multiple villages, with victims hailing from areas under Bhagwanpur-Hat police station in Siwan district and Gandaman and Ibrahimpur villages under Masrakh block in Saran district.
Affected Villages and Accounts from Locals
The affected areas include Madhar, Kaudia Vaishya Toli, Khairwan, and Lakdi Nabiganj villages in Siwan district, along with Gandaman and Ibrahimpur villages in Saran. According to local villagers, the death toll may rise further in the coming days, as more individuals who consumed the liquor are still in critical condition. In one particularly tragic case, a woman named Ranju Devi from Khairwan village also died after consuming the spurious liquor. The family of Ramendra Singh, a resident of Kaudia Vaishya Toli village, alleges that the liquor responsible for these deaths was manufactured by a man from Lakdi Nabiganj village and sold to suppliers in Siwan and Saran districts. According to villagers, all the affected areas fall within a 5-kilometer radius, making it easy for the illicit liquor to spread across these neighboring districts.
The Toxic Chemical in the Liquor
Officials investigating the case have confirmed that a highly toxic organic chemical compound, methyl alcohol (methanol), was found in excessive amounts in the spurious liquor. Methanol is known to be extremely dangerous and can cause blindness, organ failure, and death when consumed. This toxic chemical is likely the cause of the deaths in this case. Post-mortem reports are still pending, but the presence of methanol has been identified as a key factor in the tragedy.
Police Response and Arrests
Saran Superintendent of Police (SP) Kumar Ashish and Siwan SP Amitesh Kumar have stated that several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Police have raided over 100 locations in both Siwan and Saran districts in an effort to apprehend those responsible for manufacturing and distributing the toxic liquor. Some police officers have also been suspended for dereliction of duty, as authorities seek to determine whether lapses in law enforcement contributed to the spread of the illicit liquor. In addition, the police have been conducting intensive raids to track down others involved in the supply chain of the spurious liquor.
Ongoing Medical Treatment
Siwan’s civil surgeon, Dr. Shrinivas Prasad, reported that 25 people, including two women, are currently receiving medical treatment at the local hospital. Of these, four individuals have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for more advanced care due to the severity of their condition. The others are being treated locally, with doctors closely monitoring their progress. The civil surgeon also confirmed that many of the patients have suffered severe complications from consuming the toxic liquor, including blindness and organ damage.
Previous Incidents and Government Action
This latest hooch tragedy is part of a recurring issue in Bihar, where the sale and consumption of illicit liquor continue to claim lives despite the state’s prohibition law, which was enacted in 2016. Under this law, the sale, manufacture, and consumption of alcohol are banned across the state. However, illegal liquor production has persisted, often leading to deadly outcomes when spurious or adulterated alcohol is consumed. Methanol, the toxic chemical found in this case, is commonly used by illegal distillers to increase the potency of their liquor, but it is highly dangerous when ingested.
The Bihar government has taken steps to crack down on the illegal liquor trade, but incidents like this highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing the production and distribution of illicit alcohol. In many cases, local liquor mafias operate with impunity, evading law enforcement efforts through bribery, intimidation, or by exploiting loopholes in the law. The state’s prohibition department has conducted numerous raids and made arrests, but the scale of the problem remains significant.
The Role of Liquor Mafias
Liquor mafias have a significant presence in Bihar, operating large-scale illegal distilleries and distribution networks that supply spurious liquor to rural and urban areas alike. These mafias often use toxic chemicals like methanol to produce cheap liquor, which is then sold to unsuspecting consumers. In many cases, the mafias have strong ties to local politicians or law enforcement officials, allowing them to operate with relative impunity. This makes it difficult for the authorities to fully dismantle the illegal liquor trade.
In the current case, the police have identified a liquor mafia leader who is believed to be responsible for the distribution of the spurious liquor that caused the deaths in Siwan and Saran districts. This individual had been previously arrested in connection with a similar case but was released on bail. The police are now investigating whether this mafia leader was involved in the latest incident and are conducting raids to apprehend him and his associates.
Conclusion
The Bihar hooch tragedy of October 2024 has once again brought the issue of illegal liquor production to the forefront, with 25 people losing their lives and several others battling serious health complications. Despite the state’s prohibition laws, the illegal liquor trade continues to thrive, posing a constant threat to public safety. While the state government and law enforcement agencies have made efforts to combat the problem, incidents like this demonstrate the deep-rooted challenges they face in eradicating the illegal liquor trade.
The formation of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and the swift arrests made in the aftermath of the tragedy reflect the government’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable. However, the persistence of such incidents highlights the need for more comprehensive measures to tackle the illegal liquor trade, from cracking down on liquor mafias to strengthening law enforcement capabilities in affected areas.
