Suspected hooch claims 10 lives in Bihar's Saran district; five arrested, SHO suspended

PATNA: In yet another hooch tragedy in dry Bihar, at least 10 people have lost their lives and 28 others have taken ill after they consumed spurious liquor in the Saran district.

Of the 28 who are battling for life at the Saran district hospital and Patna Medical College and Hospital, 17 have lost their eyesight.

This is the second such incident in the state in the past one week. on Monday, at least two persons had died after consuming spurious liquor at Jivpur village in the Vaishali district.

In January, seven people had died in Saran while two had lost their lives in Patna City in July. As per official records, over 50 people have died in hooch tragedies in Bihar since November.

The latest incident took place at Dhanuk Tola village in Saran. Locals said 40-odd people had country liquor as ‘prasad’ after performing Nag Panchmi Puja late Wednesday evening.

The next morning, two of them — Chadan Mahto, 35, and Kamal Mahto, 60 — were found dead.

Others who had taken the ‘prasad’ also complained of vomiting, chest pain and loss of eyesight on Thursday morning.

They were rushed to the primary health centre where they were referred to the Sadar hospital at Chhapra.

Two of them succumbed on way to the hospital and five others died during treatment. Saran DM Rajesh Meena confirmed 10 deaths till Friday morning. The toll may go up further.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims had consumed poisonous liquor. A medical team and para-medical staff have been sent to the village to ascertain the cause of deaths,” he said. Saran SP Santosh Kumar said forensic teams collected samples.

The SHO of Maker police station and a village chaukidar have been suspended for dereliction of duty.

According to District Magistrate Rajesh Meena and Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, five people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the manufacture and sale of hooch, while the SHO of the police station concerned and the local chowkidar have been suspended.

Information was received on Thursday about two people dying and many taking ill after consuming some drink.

"A team of police, excise and medical officials were sent to the spot and those fallen ill were admitted to the Sadar Hospital here. Those whose condition worsened were rushed to PMCH hospital in Patna," they told reporters during a joint press conference in Chhapra town on Friday.

Nine died while undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital, one at a private health facility and another person was cremated before the administration came to know about the incident, they said.

"Twelve people are still undergoing treatment here and in PMCH," the officials said.

It has come to light that the villages have a tradition of liquor consumption on a festival during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan.

The festival was held on August 3 when locals consumed spurious liquor, according to the officials.

The SHO and the chowkidar have been suspended and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them since they failed to take note of the local custom and take preventive action, the senior officer said.

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

Nonetheless, since November last year, the state has reported a number of hooch tragedies in which more than 50 people have died.

(With PTI Inputs)

PATNA: In yet another hooch tragedy in dry Bihar, at least 10 people have lost their lives and 28 others have taken ill after they consumed spurious liquor in the Saran district. Of the 28 who are battling for life at the Saran district hospital and Patna Medical College and Hospital, 17 have lost their eyesight. This is the second such incident in the state in the past one week. on Monday, at least two persons had died after consuming spurious liquor at Jivpur village in the Vaishali district. In January, seven people had died in Saran while two had lost their lives in Patna City in July. As per official records, over 50 people have died in hooch tragedies in Bihar since November. The latest incident took place at Dhanuk Tola village in Saran. Locals said 40-odd people had country liquor as ‘prasad’ after performing Nag Panchmi Puja late Wednesday evening. The next morning, two of them — Chadan Mahto, 35, and Kamal Mahto, 60 — were found dead. Others who had taken the ‘prasad’ also complained of vomiting, chest pain and loss of eyesight on Thursday morning. They were rushed to the primary health centre where they were referred to the Sadar hospital at Chhapra. Two of them succumbed on way to the hospital and five others died during treatment. Saran DM Rajesh Meena confirmed 10 deaths till Friday morning. The toll may go up further. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims had consumed poisonous liquor. A medical team and para-medical staff have been sent to the village to ascertain the cause of deaths,” he said. Saran SP Santosh Kumar said forensic teams collected samples. The SHO of Maker police station and a village chaukidar have been suspended for dereliction of duty. According to District Magistrate Rajesh Meena and Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, five people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the manufacture and sale of hooch, while the SHO of the police station concerned and the local chowkidar have been suspended. Information was received on Thursday about two people dying and many taking ill after consuming some drink. "A team of police, excise and medical officials were sent to the spot and those fallen ill were admitted to the Sadar Hospital here. Those whose condition worsened were rushed to PMCH hospital in Patna," they told reporters during a joint press conference in Chhapra town on Friday. Nine died while undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital, one at a private health facility and another person was cremated before the administration came to know about the incident, they said. "Twelve people are still undergoing treatment here and in PMCH," the officials said. It has come to light that the villages have a tradition of liquor consumption on a festival during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan. The festival was held on August 3 when locals consumed spurious liquor, according to the officials. The SHO and the chowkidar have been suspended and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them since they failed to take note of the local custom and take preventive action, the senior officer said. The sale and consumption of alcohol were completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016. Nonetheless, since November last year, the state has reported a number of hooch tragedies in which more than 50 people have died. (With PTI Inputs)