News Analysis India

Tag: liquor

  • Hooch tragedy strikes again in dry Bihar; two dead, several taken ill

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A hooch tragedy has claimed at least two lives while 10 persons were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan district on Sunday. 

    Five of the victims were admitted to Siwan sadar hospital for treatment.

    A district board member Ramesh Kumar told the police that some people from Bela village under Nabiganj police outpost complained of severe stomach pain, loss of eye sight and vomiting.

    On being inquired, family members revealed that they all had consumed alcohol at a local vend, which used to supply illicit country liquor. 

    The deceased were identified as Janak Prasad alias Janak Bind (40) and Naresh Bind (35), stated to be residents Bala village. 

    A police team attached to Nabiganjpolice station rushed to the village and started investigation.

    Nabiganj station house officer (SHO) Suraj Prasad said that a police team has been to the village after information about death of two people reached the police station late on Sunday evening.

    In December last year, more than 60 people had died in Saran district. The district authority, however, confirmed the death of 42 persons in the incident.

    Bihar came under total prohibition in April 2016. Since then 20 major incidents of hooch have been reported in which 200 persons lost their lives.

    PATNA: A hooch tragedy has claimed at least two lives while 10 persons were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan district on Sunday. 

    Five of the victims were admitted to Siwan sadar hospital for treatment.

    A district board member Ramesh Kumar told the police that some people from Bela village under Nabiganj police outpost complained of severe stomach pain, loss of eye sight and vomiting.

    On being inquired, family members revealed that they all had consumed alcohol at a local vend, which used to supply illicit country liquor. 

    The deceased were identified as Janak Prasad alias Janak Bind (40) and Naresh Bind (35), stated to be residents Bala village. 

    A police team attached to Nabiganj
    police station rushed to the village and started investigation.

    Nabiganj station house officer (SHO) Suraj Prasad said that a police team has been to the village after information about death of two people reached the police station late on Sunday evening.

    In December last year, more than 60 people had died in Saran district. The district authority, however, confirmed the death of 42 persons in the incident.

    Bihar came under total prohibition in April 2016. Since then 20 major incidents of hooch have been reported in which 200 persons lost their lives.

  • Liquor smuggler held with 56 boxes of liquor in UP

    By PTI

    BALLIA: Police here have arrested one liquor smuggler and recovered 56 boxes of liquor from a truck going to Bihar, police said on Monday.

    According to the police, the arrest was made on Sunday during the checking of vehicles near Pipardhala village, when 56 boxes (peti) of liquor were recovered from the mini-truck.

    The arrested person has been identified as Amajeet Yadav, a resident of Patna, who has been sent to jail.

    SHO of Kotwali police station Rajiv Singh said that the liquor was going from Ghazipur district (in UP) to Bihar.

    BALLIA: Police here have arrested one liquor smuggler and recovered 56 boxes of liquor from a truck going to Bihar, police said on Monday.

    According to the police, the arrest was made on Sunday during the checking of vehicles near Pipardhala village, when 56 boxes (peti) of liquor were recovered from the mini-truck.

    The arrested person has been identified as Amajeet Yadav, a resident of Patna, who has been sent to jail.

    SHO of Kotwali police station Rajiv Singh said that the liquor was going from Ghazipur district (in UP) to Bihar.

  • Bihar hooch tragedy rocks both Houses; toll rises to 30; BJP stages Raj Bhavan march

    By PTI

    PATNA: The Saran hooch tragedy toll rose to 30 on Friday, the biggest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago, and it continued to cast a shadow on the state legislature where BJP members disrupted proceedings in both Houses before staging a Raj Bhavan march.

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena told PTI over phone that the number of people who have died since Tuesday night has climbed to 30.

    However unconfirmed reports claimed up to 50 people died by drinking illicitly brewed country liquor.

    The DM maintained that the deaths were “caused by suspected consumption of spurious liquor” which would be confirmed after the viscera of the deceased are examined at forensic labs.

    Proceedings of the legislative council were adjourned till 2 pm within a few minutes of commencement at noon as the MLCs raised an uproar over the Chair’s reluctance to take up for discussion an adjournment motion brought by them.

    Shortly afterwards, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made an angry statement on the floor of the assembly, where similar uproarious incidents had forced adjournment till noon within a few minutes of commencement of proceedings at 11 am.

    “Those who drink and lose their lives as a result deserve no sympathy (koi sahanubhuti nahin) and no compensation”, fumed the septuagenarian, unfazed by the flak he has drawn over his “jo piyega vo marega” quip on the previous day.

    Kumar had risen in his chair taking exception to a submission by CPI MLA Satyendra Yadav that the government consider giving monetary compensation to the bereaved family members.

    “Please do not take such a stand. I have always looked upon the Left parties as my allies”, said a visibly pained Kumar, adding “if you people feel that prohibition is wrong then say it so upfront.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The law was brought in with the consent of all. If all today think we were in the wrong, we may withdraw it. But do remember the deaths have taken place because of a filthy habit (ganda baat)”, said the chief minister before uttering “jo piyega vo marega” for yet another time.

    The CM’s statement came ahead of the lunch recess, shortly after a walkout by the BJP MLAs.

    The proceedings saw several heated exchanges between Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha and Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary.

    Sinha, who had visited the affected Mashrak block in Saran the previous night, claimed inside the House that the hooch tragedy has “claimed more than 100 lives”. Many media outlets have come out with unconfirmed reports of the number of casualties being around 50.

    Sinha told reporters outside the assembly “I am ashamed of the conduct of the Speaker who is acting as per the diktats of the government. I had preceded him in the Chair. Never did I work in such a partisan manner”.

    “What has happened in Saran is tantamount to state-sponsored mass murder. The SIT formed by the administration is an eyewash. We are going to meet Governor Phagu Chauhan and submit a memorandum. Our demands include a CBI inquiry into the matter. If that is not possible, there should be a judicial probe”, added Sinha.

    He also said, “we would request the governor to recommend dismissal of the government and put under President’s rule the state where the lives of the people are in danger because of the insensitivity of the ruling dispensation”.

    Sinha also seemed to have taken to heart an admonitory note by the Speaker that as a Leader of the Opposition he should abide by “parliamentary norms”.

    READ HERE | Bihar hooch deaths: Now, spurious liqour kills five in Siwan, one in Begusarai

    Waving a copy of the rule book before journalists, he said “we raised the matter strictly in accordance with norms. The Speaker has the temerity to give sermons to us. He should show the courage to take action against the man who had trampled upon the Chair with boots on and is currently holding the post of the Deputy Chief Minister”.

    The allusion was to an incident in March when the RJD, which was then in the Opposition, had created a ruckus over a bill and held Sinha, the then Speaker, hostage for several hours inside his chamber.

    It has been alleged that Tejashwi Yadav, who was then the Leader of the Opposition, had clambered on the Speaker’s Chair in the midst of a din inside the House.

    A committee of the House is said to have submitted its report ahead of the political upheaval in August which saw the BJP thrown out of power and the RJD joining hands with the Chief Minister’s JD(U).

    The BJP has been alleging that the new regime has shelved the report because it was politically inconvenient.

    PATNA: The Saran hooch tragedy toll rose to 30 on Friday, the biggest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago, and it continued to cast a shadow on the state legislature where BJP members disrupted proceedings in both Houses before staging a Raj Bhavan march.

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena told PTI over phone that the number of people who have died since Tuesday night has climbed to 30.

    However unconfirmed reports claimed up to 50 people died by drinking illicitly brewed country liquor.

    The DM maintained that the deaths were “caused by suspected consumption of spurious liquor” which would be confirmed after the viscera of the deceased are examined at forensic labs.

    Proceedings of the legislative council were adjourned till 2 pm within a few minutes of commencement at noon as the MLCs raised an uproar over the Chair’s reluctance to take up for discussion an adjournment motion brought by them.

    Shortly afterwards, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made an angry statement on the floor of the assembly, where similar uproarious incidents had forced adjournment till noon within a few minutes of commencement of proceedings at 11 am.

    “Those who drink and lose their lives as a result deserve no sympathy (koi sahanubhuti nahin) and no compensation”, fumed the septuagenarian, unfazed by the flak he has drawn over his “jo piyega vo marega” quip on the previous day.

    Kumar had risen in his chair taking exception to a submission by CPI MLA Satyendra Yadav that the government consider giving monetary compensation to the bereaved family members.

    “Please do not take such a stand. I have always looked upon the Left parties as my allies”, said a visibly pained Kumar, adding “if you people feel that prohibition is wrong then say it so upfront.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The law was brought in with the consent of all. If all today think we were in the wrong, we may withdraw it. But do remember the deaths have taken place because of a filthy habit (ganda baat)”, said the chief minister before uttering “jo piyega vo marega” for yet another time.

    The CM’s statement came ahead of the lunch recess, shortly after a walkout by the BJP MLAs.

    The proceedings saw several heated exchanges between Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha and Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary.

    Sinha, who had visited the affected Mashrak block in Saran the previous night, claimed inside the House that the hooch tragedy has “claimed more than 100 lives”. Many media outlets have come out with unconfirmed reports of the number of casualties being around 50.

    Sinha told reporters outside the assembly “I am ashamed of the conduct of the Speaker who is acting as per the diktats of the government. I had preceded him in the Chair. Never did I work in such a partisan manner”.

    “What has happened in Saran is tantamount to state-sponsored mass murder. The SIT formed by the administration is an eyewash. We are going to meet Governor Phagu Chauhan and submit a memorandum. Our demands include a CBI inquiry into the matter. If that is not possible, there should be a judicial probe”, added Sinha.

    He also said, “we would request the governor to recommend dismissal of the government and put under President’s rule the state where the lives of the people are in danger because of the insensitivity of the ruling dispensation”.

    Sinha also seemed to have taken to heart an admonitory note by the Speaker that as a Leader of the Opposition he should abide by “parliamentary norms”.

    READ HERE | Bihar hooch deaths: Now, spurious liqour kills five in Siwan, one in Begusarai

    Waving a copy of the rule book before journalists, he said “we raised the matter strictly in accordance with norms. The Speaker has the temerity to give sermons to us. He should show the courage to take action against the man who had trampled upon the Chair with boots on and is currently holding the post of the Deputy Chief Minister”.

    The allusion was to an incident in March when the RJD, which was then in the Opposition, had created a ruckus over a bill and held Sinha, the then Speaker, hostage for several hours inside his chamber.

    It has been alleged that Tejashwi Yadav, who was then the Leader of the Opposition, had clambered on the Speaker’s Chair in the midst of a din inside the House.

    A committee of the House is said to have submitted its report ahead of the political upheaval in August which saw the BJP thrown out of power and the RJD joining hands with the Chief Minister’s JD(U).

    The BJP has been alleging that the new regime has shelved the report because it was politically inconvenient.

  • Plea in SC seeks SIT probe into Bihar hooch tragedy, compensation for victims’ kin

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into a recent hooch tragedy in Bihar, in which at least 30 people have lost their lives.

    The Saran hooch tragedy toll climbed to 30 on Friday, the highest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago.

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena told PTI over the phone that the number of people who have died in the tragedy since Tuesday night has gone up to 30.

    However, unconfirmed reports claim that around 50 people have died after consuming illicitly-brewed country liquor.

    The petition, filed in the apex court by Bihar-based Aryavarta Mahasabha Foundation, has also sought a direction to the state government to adequately compensate the victims’ families.

    The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha, which refused to list it urgently.

    The bench told advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak, who mentioned the matter, that the petitioner has to go through the proper process for the listing of the case.

    Friday is the last working day for the top court before it goes on a two-week winter break.

    The apex court will reopen on January 2.

    Sale and consumption of alcohol were completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.

    The plea filed in the top court has arrayed the Centre and the state of Bihar as party respondents.

    It said a multi-pronged plan is needed to prevent the sale and consumption of toxic alcohol.

    It has sought a direction to the respondent to formulate a national action plan to curb the manufacturing, trading and sale of illicit liquor.

    The plea said the hooch tragedy in Bihar on December 14 has “caused a furore” in the country.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    “With political parties training their guns on each other, as many as 40 people have died so far after consuming spurious liquor, while others have been hospitalised and there is no official report on the incident,” the plea claimed.

    It said this is not the first time that India has reported an incident of people dying after consuming spurious liquor and similar cases were reported from various states, including Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, in recent years.

    “Hooch is a kind of liquor which is cheap, brewed in small unregulated shanties and does not attract excise tax. This inferior quality drink is usually made after mixing chemicals with water, which is then consumed by people,” it said.

    The plea said it is more so commonly sold in the states that have imposed a full ban on liquor.

    It said presently, four states — Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram — have laws that prohibit the sale of alcohol and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 was enacted to enforce a complete prohibition of liquor in the state.

    “Under the Act, manufacturing, bottling, distribution, transportation, collection, storage, possession, purchase, sale or consumption of any intoxicant or liquor is prohibited.

    From 2018 to 2020, over 45,000 FIRs were registered under the Act every year,” it says.

    The petition pointed out that in February, the apex court had observed that trial courts in Bihar and the Patna High Court are being crowded by bail applications in matters under the 2016 Act.

    It said the Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution provide that the State shall endeavour to prohibit the consumption (except for medicinal purposes) of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.

    The plea said ever since the Bihar government prohibited liquor sales in the state in 2016, it has invited scathing criticism for its substantial failure to implement the ban and for several adverse consequences that the move has thrust on the people there.

    “What is not implementable may not be operationalised despite the nobility of the cause. Bihar has failed to apply this simple test in the present instance,” it said.

    It further said recently, a question was raised on the issue in the Lok Sabha but no effective steps are being taken to curb the menace of the liquor mafia and cartels running the show.

    The plea said according to the Lok Sabha data released on July 19, five states, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, reported the maximum number of deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor between 2016 and 2020.

    “According to the data, India reported over 6,000 deaths in five years between 2016 and 2020 due to the consumption of spurious liquor. India logged the lowest number of deaths in 2020 with 947,” it said, alleging that of the estimated five billion (500 crore) litres of alcohol consumed every year in the country, about 40 per cent is illegally produced and cheap, locally-made liquor is common in parts of rural India.

    NEW DELHI: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into a recent hooch tragedy in Bihar, in which at least 30 people have lost their lives.

    The Saran hooch tragedy toll climbed to 30 on Friday, the highest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago.

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena told PTI over the phone that the number of people who have died in the tragedy since Tuesday night has gone up to 30.

    However, unconfirmed reports claim that around 50 people have died after consuming illicitly-brewed country liquor.

    The petition, filed in the apex court by Bihar-based Aryavarta Mahasabha Foundation, has also sought a direction to the state government to adequately compensate the victims’ families.

    The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha, which refused to list it urgently.

    The bench told advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak, who mentioned the matter, that the petitioner has to go through the proper process for the listing of the case.

    Friday is the last working day for the top court before it goes on a two-week winter break.

    The apex court will reopen on January 2.

    Sale and consumption of alcohol were completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.

    The plea filed in the top court has arrayed the Centre and the state of Bihar as party respondents.

    It said a multi-pronged plan is needed to prevent the sale and consumption of toxic alcohol.

    It has sought a direction to the respondent to formulate a national action plan to curb the manufacturing, trading and sale of illicit liquor.

    The plea said the hooch tragedy in Bihar on December 14 has “caused a furore” in the country.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    “With political parties training their guns on each other, as many as 40 people have died so far after consuming spurious liquor, while others have been hospitalised and there is no official report on the incident,” the plea claimed.

    It said this is not the first time that India has reported an incident of people dying after consuming spurious liquor and similar cases were reported from various states, including Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, in recent years.

    “Hooch is a kind of liquor which is cheap, brewed in small unregulated shanties and does not attract excise tax. This inferior quality drink is usually made after mixing chemicals with water, which is then consumed by people,” it said.

    The plea said it is more so commonly sold in the states that have imposed a full ban on liquor.

    It said presently, four states — Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram — have laws that prohibit the sale of alcohol and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 was enacted to enforce a complete prohibition of liquor in the state.

    “Under the Act, manufacturing, bottling, distribution, transportation, collection, storage, possession, purchase, sale or consumption of any intoxicant or liquor is prohibited.

    From 2018 to 2020, over 45,000 FIRs were registered under the Act every year,” it says.

    The petition pointed out that in February, the apex court had observed that trial courts in Bihar and the Patna High Court are being crowded by bail applications in matters under the 2016 Act.

    It said the Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution provide that the State shall endeavour to prohibit the consumption (except for medicinal purposes) of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.

    The plea said ever since the Bihar government prohibited liquor sales in the state in 2016, it has invited scathing criticism for its substantial failure to implement the ban and for several adverse consequences that the move has thrust on the people there.

    “What is not implementable may not be operationalised despite the nobility of the cause. Bihar has failed to apply this simple test in the present instance,” it said.

    It further said recently, a question was raised on the issue in the Lok Sabha but no effective steps are being taken to curb the menace of the liquor mafia and cartels running the show.

    The plea said according to the Lok Sabha data released on July 19, five states, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, reported the maximum number of deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor between 2016 and 2020.

    “According to the data, India reported over 6,000 deaths in five years between 2016 and 2020 due to the consumption of spurious liquor. India logged the lowest number of deaths in 2020 with 947,” it said, alleging that of the estimated five billion (500 crore) litres of alcohol consumed every year in the country, about 40 per cent is illegally produced and cheap, locally-made liquor is common in parts of rural India.

  • Bihar hooch deaths: Now, spurious liqour kills five in Siwan, one in Begusarai

    By ANI

    SIWAN (Bihar): Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra (Saran district) claimed over 50 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

    All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area.

    Angry family members of the deceased obstructed the Siwan-Chapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest.

    The distance between Siwan and Chhapra is around 10 kilometres.

    The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Rai (40), Sambhu Yadav (36), Amir Manjhi (45), and Awadh Manjhi (36) of Brahmasthan Village while Ramendra Pandit hailed from Sondhani village.

    According to locals, the death toll is expected to go up and the condition of some people is stated to be serious.

    Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district, the administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. Two persons identified as Deepak Kumar and Shivam Kumar – who consumed alcohol with the deceased, are being interrogated by police. A third person Sandeep, who drank with them has been referred to Patna hospital in a critical condition.

    The death toll in the Chhapra Hooch tragedy went up to 53 on Friday after 11 more people succumbed.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The deaths have created an uproar both at the state and national levels as the sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday during Assembly proceedings reiterated his “piyoge to maroge” remark which means those who will drink spurious liquor would die. Addressing the state assembly, the chief minister stated that no compensation will be given to people who died after drinking and repeated that “if you drink alcohol, you will die”.

    The Chhapra hooch tragedy was one of the issues raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, leading to the adjournment of the House thrice within a short span of 40 minutes as both the Treasury benches and the opposition raised their issues together with the commencement of the Zero Hour.

    SIWAN (Bihar): Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra (Saran district) claimed over 50 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

    All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area.

    Angry family members of the deceased obstructed the Siwan-Chapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest.

    The distance between Siwan and Chhapra is around 10 kilometres.

    The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Rai (40), Sambhu Yadav (36), Amir Manjhi (45), and Awadh Manjhi (36) of Brahmasthan Village while Ramendra Pandit hailed from Sondhani village.

    According to locals, the death toll is expected to go up and the condition of some people is stated to be serious.

    Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district, the administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. Two persons identified as Deepak Kumar and Shivam Kumar – who consumed alcohol with the deceased, are being interrogated by police. A third person Sandeep, who drank with them has been referred to Patna hospital in a critical condition.

    The death toll in the Chhapra Hooch tragedy went up to 53 on Friday after 11 more people succumbed.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The deaths have created an uproar both at the state and national levels as the sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday during Assembly proceedings reiterated his “piyoge to maroge” remark which means those who will drink spurious liquor would die. Addressing the state assembly, the chief minister stated that no compensation will be given to people who died after drinking and repeated that “if you drink alcohol, you will die”.

    The Chhapra hooch tragedy was one of the issues raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, leading to the adjournment of the House thrice within a short span of 40 minutes as both the Treasury benches and the opposition raised their issues together with the commencement of the Zero Hour.

  • Bihar: SIT constituted to probe into hooch deaths; whip cracked on errant officials

    By PTI

    CHHAPRA/PATNA: A special investigation team has been set up to crack the hooch case in Saran district of Bihar, where 26 people have died and at least 12 others have taken ill since Tuesday night, officials said.

    During a press conference in Chhapra, the district headquarters, Saran DM Rajesh Meena on Thursday said that action has been taken against officials concerned.

    “We have also conducted intensive raids across the district in the last 48 hours and nabbed 126 hooch traders. More than 4,000 litres of illicit liquor have also been seized,” he said.

    Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, who was also present at the press conference, declined to divulge whether the arrested persons included those directly involved in the latest hooch case, saying that “the matter is still under investigation and disclosing much at this stage could hamper the probe”.

    READ HERE | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    “Some blame lies on officials concerned too and hence SHO of Mashrak police station and the local chowkidar have been suspended with immediate effect”, he added.

    They also said that transfer of the Sub Divisional Police Officer of Marhaura has been recommended to authorities along with a request that departmental proceedings be initiated against him.

    “For speedy investigation, an SIT consisting of 31 police officials, headed by an additional SP and including three deputy SPs, has also been set up”, the district magistrate said.

    The DM and the SP also appealed to the people to come forward “with any relevant information they might have, without any fear of reprisal”.

    Meanwhile, CPI(M) MLA Satyendra Yadav, whose party supports the “Mahagathbandhan” government from outside termed the stringent prohibition law, that has been in place for over six years, as “betuka” (absurd).

    Yadav’s Manjhi assembly segment is close to the areas of Saran, where the hooch tragedy happened.

    Talking to PTI outside the state assembly, he said, “There may be virtue in abstinence from alcohol but it cannot be enforced by any law. This law is absurd and impractical. It is high time people understood that”.

    Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016.

    CHHAPRA/PATNA: A special investigation team has been set up to crack the hooch case in Saran district of Bihar, where 26 people have died and at least 12 others have taken ill since Tuesday night, officials said.

    During a press conference in Chhapra, the district headquarters, Saran DM Rajesh Meena on Thursday said that action has been taken against officials concerned.

    “We have also conducted intensive raids across the district in the last 48 hours and nabbed 126 hooch traders. More than 4,000 litres of illicit liquor have also been seized,” he said.

    Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, who was also present at the press conference, declined to divulge whether the arrested persons included those directly involved in the latest hooch case, saying that “the matter is still under investigation and disclosing much at this stage could hamper the probe”.

    READ HERE | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    “Some blame lies on officials concerned too and hence SHO of Mashrak police station and the local chowkidar have been suspended with immediate effect”, he added.

    They also said that transfer of the Sub Divisional Police Officer of Marhaura has been recommended to authorities along with a request that departmental proceedings be initiated against him.

    “For speedy investigation, an SIT consisting of 31 police officials, headed by an additional SP and including three deputy SPs, has also been set up”, the district magistrate said.

    The DM and the SP also appealed to the people to come forward “with any relevant information they might have, without any fear of reprisal”.

    Meanwhile, CPI(M) MLA Satyendra Yadav, whose party supports the “Mahagathbandhan” government from outside termed the stringent prohibition law, that has been in place for over six years, as “betuka” (absurd).

    Yadav’s Manjhi assembly segment is close to the areas of Saran, where the hooch tragedy happened.

    Talking to PTI outside the state assembly, he said, “There may be virtue in abstinence from alcohol but it cannot be enforced by any law. This law is absurd and impractical. It is high time people understood that”.

    Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016.

  • Dry Gujarat asks Madhya Pradesh to check liquor flow in poll season

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Assembly poll-bound dry state Gujarat has asked neighbouring Madhya Pradesh to put a leash on liquor smuggling. Assembly polls are scheduled in two phases early next month in Gujarat, whose two districts — Chhota Udaipur and Dahod— are bordered by two tribal-dominated districts Jhabua and Alirajpur of MP.

    According to key police sources in Indore, so far there have been three meetings of local administration and police of the four bordering districts of West MP and East Gujarat, with the latest one having happened in Indore on Saturday.

    Liquor smuggling has emerged as the key area of concern for the two East Gujarat districts, after which the MP police has been asked to coordinate with their neighbouring state counterparts to control the smuggling of liquor from other states to Gujarat.

    Importantly, the two MP districts, Jhabua and Alirajpur are among the gateways for liquor smuggling to Gujarat. While it’s the country-made liquor which is largely consumed in the two tribal-dominated west MP districts, the licensed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) vends in both these districts (particularly in areas bordering Gujarat) are auctioned at abnormally high prices.

    Knowing well that there might be an increase in liquor smuggling to Gujarat, as polls get closer, the two west MP districts have already been focussing on crackdown against liquor smugglers.

    The Alirajpur district police alone has seized around 14,000 liters liquor (mostly IMFL) worth over 58.65 lakh in the last two months, including IMFL worth over Rs 20 lakh, being smuggled to Gujarat from Haryana by a smuggling syndicate operating from Bharatpur (Rajasthan).

    BHOPAL: Assembly poll-bound dry state Gujarat has asked neighbouring Madhya Pradesh to put a leash on liquor smuggling. Assembly polls are scheduled in two phases early next month in Gujarat, whose two districts — Chhota Udaipur and Dahod— are bordered by two tribal-dominated districts Jhabua and Alirajpur of MP.

    According to key police sources in Indore, so far there have been three meetings of local administration and police of the four bordering districts of West MP and East Gujarat, with the latest one having happened in Indore on Saturday.

    Liquor smuggling has emerged as the key area of concern for the two East Gujarat districts, after which the MP police has been asked to coordinate with their neighbouring state counterparts to control the smuggling of liquor from other states to Gujarat.

    Importantly, the two MP districts, Jhabua and Alirajpur are among the gateways for liquor smuggling to Gujarat. While it’s the country-made liquor which is largely consumed in the two tribal-dominated west MP districts, the licensed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) vends in both these districts (particularly in areas bordering Gujarat) are auctioned at abnormally high prices.

    Knowing well that there might be an increase in liquor smuggling to Gujarat, as polls get closer, the two west MP districts have already been focussing on crackdown against liquor smugglers.

    The Alirajpur district police alone has seized around 14,000 liters liquor (mostly IMFL) worth over 58.65 lakh in the last two months, including IMFL worth over Rs 20 lakh, being smuggled to Gujarat from Haryana by a smuggling syndicate operating from Bharatpur (Rajasthan).

  • Big liquor, cash haul in Himachal & Gujarat ahead of polls

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made record seizures, including cash, liquor, precious metal, and gifts from poll-bound states Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat which were possibly to be used to influence electorates. In the hill state, the value of confiscated articles, including cash, stands at Rs 50.28 crore, which is five times higher than the value of seizures made during the previous elections in 2017. People in Himachal will vote today.   

    From Gujarat, where polling will take place in two phases on December 1 and December 5, total seizure so far is of Rs 71.88 crore. Within a few days of announcement of elections in the state, it had surpassed the seizures recorded duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in Assembly elections 2017, which was Rs 27.21 crore.

    Though these are early days after the polls were announced in Gujarat, yet activity by the police has led to seizure of around 1.10 lakh litre of liquor worth Rs 3.86 crore so far, said the Commission. The Election Watchdog further said that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had also reported massive seizure amounting to Rs 64 crore of toys and accessories, which were being smuggled by way of ‘mis-declaration’ and by resorting to concealment in import cargo at Mundra Port. Two persons including the mastermind in the case have been arrested and further investigation is under progress.  

    The Investigation Wing of Income Tax Department, which is one of the main participating enforcement agencies, conducted raids at stone crushing units in 27 premises in Himachal Pradesh and adjoining states and seized a significant amount of cash. It also conducted search and seizure operations on manufacturers and traders of country liquor, wherein unaccounted cash was seized and discrepancies in stock and account keeping was observed. The comprehensive planning, reviews and follow-ups and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to record seizures in the ongoing Assembly elections in the states, said the Commission.

    Further, if citizens become vigilant and use cVigil App more extensively, it would go a long way in curbing money power in the elections, it added.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made record seizures, including cash, liquor, precious metal, and gifts from poll-bound states Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat which were possibly to be used to influence electorates. In the hill state, the value of confiscated articles, including cash, stands at Rs 50.28 crore, which is five times higher than the value of seizures made during the previous elections in 2017. People in Himachal will vote today.   

    From Gujarat, where polling will take place in two phases on December 1 and December 5, total seizure so far is of Rs 71.88 crore. Within a few days of announcement of elections in the state, it had surpassed the seizures recorded duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in Assembly elections 2017, which was Rs 27.21 crore.

    Though these are early days after the polls were announced in Gujarat, yet activity by the police has led to seizure of around 1.10 lakh litre of liquor worth Rs 3.86 crore so far, said the Commission. The Election Watchdog further said that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had also reported massive seizure amounting to Rs 64 crore of toys and accessories, which were being smuggled by way of ‘mis-declaration’ and by resorting to concealment in import cargo at Mundra Port. Two persons including the mastermind in the case have been arrested and further investigation is under progress.  

    The Investigation Wing of Income Tax Department, which is one of the main participating enforcement agencies, conducted raids at stone crushing units in 27 premises in Himachal Pradesh and adjoining states and seized a significant amount of cash. It also conducted search and seizure operations on manufacturers and traders of country liquor, wherein unaccounted cash was seized and discrepancies in stock and account keeping was observed. The comprehensive planning, reviews and follow-ups and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to record seizures in the ongoing Assembly elections in the states, said the Commission.

    Further, if citizens become vigilant and use cVigil App more extensively, it would go a long way in curbing money power in the elections, it added.

  • Record cash, liquor seized as Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat go for polls: Election Commission

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said “record seizures” of cash, liquor and freebies have been made as Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh go for assembly polls.

    While HP goes to poll on Saturday, Gujarat will have voting on December 1 and 5.

    The poll panel said there has been a five-fold increase in seizures in Himachal Pradesh compared to the 2017 assembly elections.

    The Commission said its comprehensive planning led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar ahead of the polls has given “encouraging” results in terms of seizures.

    Gujarat witnessed seizures of Rs 71.88 crore in just few days of announcement of elections, which surpasses even the seizures made in entire duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in 2017 assembly elections, which was Rs 27.21 crore.

    Similarly, the seizures in Himachal Pradesh are also significant, amounting to Rs 50.28 crore as compared to Rs 9.03 crore, marking more than a five-fold increase, it said.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said “record seizures” of cash, liquor and freebies have been made as Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh go for assembly polls.

    While HP goes to poll on Saturday, Gujarat will have voting on December 1 and 5.

    The poll panel said there has been a five-fold increase in seizures in Himachal Pradesh compared to the 2017 assembly elections.

    The Commission said its comprehensive planning led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar ahead of the polls has given “encouraging” results in terms of seizures.

    Gujarat witnessed seizures of Rs 71.88 crore in just few days of announcement of elections, which surpasses even the seizures made in entire duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in 2017 assembly elections, which was Rs 27.21 crore.

    Similarly, the seizures in Himachal Pradesh are also significant, amounting to Rs 50.28 crore as compared to Rs 9.03 crore, marking more than a five-fold increase, it said.

  • Manipur Cabinet gives nod to partially lift prohibition

    By PTI

    IMPHAL: The Manipur government has decided to partially lift prohibition from all the district headquarters, tourist destinations, and camps of security forces, as part of a new policy which will help generate Rs 600 crore as annual revenue.

    The state Cabinet took the decision to partially lift the ban on brewing, consumption and sale of liquor at a meeting on Tuesday, Tribal Affairs and Hills Development Minister Letpao Haokip told reporters.

    However, those transporting liquor from one place to another would require possessing a permit, Haokip said.

    The decision was also taken in view of health hazards caused by the consumption of illicit liquor, he said.

    A massive public movement had led the state government to enact prohibition through the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991, which was later amended in 2002.

    Following the promulgation of the Act, sale, brewing and consumption of liquor were banned for all residents barring people from the SC and ST communities who traditionally brew it.

    However, despite the ban, liquor consumption could not be effectively controlled and alcohol remained widely available.

    The state government is also mulling to export traditionally brewed liquor from the villages of Sekmai and Andro which are renowned for it.

    The Manipur government had recently sent a cabinet sub-committee to Goa to study scientific liquor brewing for export.

    IMPHAL: The Manipur government has decided to partially lift prohibition from all the district headquarters, tourist destinations, and camps of security forces, as part of a new policy which will help generate Rs 600 crore as annual revenue.

    The state Cabinet took the decision to partially lift the ban on brewing, consumption and sale of liquor at a meeting on Tuesday, Tribal Affairs and Hills Development Minister Letpao Haokip told reporters.

    However, those transporting liquor from one place to another would require possessing a permit, Haokip said.

    The decision was also taken in view of health hazards caused by the consumption of illicit liquor, he said.

    A massive public movement had led the state government to enact prohibition through the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991, which was later amended in 2002.

    Following the promulgation of the Act, sale, brewing and consumption of liquor were banned for all residents barring people from the SC and ST communities who traditionally brew it.

    However, despite the ban, liquor consumption could not be effectively controlled and alcohol remained widely available.

    The state government is also mulling to export traditionally brewed liquor from the villages of Sekmai and Andro which are renowned for it.

    The Manipur government had recently sent a cabinet sub-committee to Goa to study scientific liquor brewing for export.