Patna: As many as 16 people have died in Bihar’s West Champaran district after consuming spurious liquor over the last few days, according to officials. Also, more than 12 people have been admitted to hospitals in serious conditions.
The case was reported in Deurwa and adjoining villages after villagers consumed poisonous liquor on Tuesday evening and fell ill. The first casualty was reported on Thursday.
According to the villagers, liquor sales were openly taking place in the village and several people from adjoining villages come to purchase liquor.
Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav has slammed the Nitish Kumar-led government on the matter.
“CM Nitish Kumar is the patron of liquor mafia in Bihar. He has been allowing liquor mafia to smuggle, trade and sell in Bihar and his police used to book poor and innocent people in alleged cases of it. They are putting poor and Dalit people of Bihar in jails,” Tejashwi was quoted as saying by news agency IANS on Saturday.
Congress leader, Bhakt Charan Das is set to launch a “parallel investigation” into the Bettiah liquor incident.
“We will send a dedicated team in Bettiah (in West Champaran district) to investigate the incident separately and bring actual reasons and death toll. The team members will meet with families of the deceased. The local police are trying to hide facts and reasons behind the incident,” said Das.
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