14 die in suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar's Motihari

PATNA: At least 14 people died and many were taken ill after allegedly consuming "spurious" liquor in Bihar’s Motihari district, the police said on Saturday.
The district officials swung into action and started conducting raids after receiving complaints about the death and hospitalization.

Police arrested seven liquor smugglers and seized alcohol and spirit during the raids in Turkaulia block. A team led by the superintendent of police (SP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra reached the spot and started investigating the incident and further action is being taken.
Motihari DM Saurabh Jorwal told this newspaper that the victims have died under the mysterious circumstances in Laxminagar village of Turkaulia block since Friday evening.
"Four persons have died on Friday after their health deteriorated, of which two of them were cremated by their family members in a hurry while bodies of two others were sent for post-mortem. The other four succumbed during the treatment on Saturday," The DM said.
Jorwal further said that near about a dozen persons are undergoing treatment at government health facilities while several people are admitted at the private hospitals in the district.
"A police and a medical team has been sent in the village for door-to-door survey to admit those who are having some health ailments. Miking is also being done. During the raids, the police team has arrested seven liquor smugglers, who brought liquor in pouches in the village. The sample of the liquor has been sent for the test," the DM said.
The SP Mishra said that the viscera report along with the post mortem report will reveal the actual cause of the deaths. The family members of the deceased are refraining from saying anything, he added.
According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Tuntun Singh (35), resident of Badi Lagunia Tola and Bhutan Manjhi (40), Batua Bairia Tola of Paharpur police station have been cremated by their relatives. The other victims of suspected hooch were identified as Chhotu Paswan (25) , Ashok Paswan (45), Dhruv Paswan (50), Jatta Ram, Bitto Ram and Naresh Paswan.
They died after complaining of nausea, disorientation, stomach ache, breathlessness, and loss of vision and consciousness, all typical side effects of consuming adulterated liquor.
Gyaneshwar, a local of the village alleged that all of them consumed liquor on Thursday evening after reaping the wheat crop. “Desi sharab (local alcohol) was brought by Jatta Ram, who died after his health deteriorated,” he said. Pramod Shah, a resident of Gai Ghat village of Harsidhi block, who was taken by the medical team after he complained about breathlessness. He told the media persons that said he drank four pouches of liquor while his partner consumbed three pouches.
The Crime Investigation Department (excise department) will ensure further investigation of the incident and legal action will be taken. A team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has also reached to the spot to collect evidences.
The death toll may increase as many people are undergoing treatment at different health facilities.