Patna, India — The state of Bihar is grappling with a severe crisis as eight individuals have lost their lives after consuming counterfeit spirits. Fatalities were reported from two districts, where Siwan saw six deaths and Saran accounted for two. The incident also left over a dozen people in critical condition, with authorities fearing that the death toll may increase.
In response to the tragedies, local hospitals are stretched thin. Siwan alone had 15 patients admitted; of these, three were transported to a larger medical facility in Patna due to the severity of their symptoms. Symptoms reported by victims included vision loss, severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting, suggesting the consumed liquor was highly toxic.
Legal processes have been initiated in response to the crisis. Specifically, in Siwan, actions have been taken against the local law enforcement officials, including the Station House Officer and a Prohibition Assistant, under whose jurisdiction the illicit alcohol was distributed.
Meanwhile, in Saran, the deaths occurred in the Ibrahimpur area, under the jurisdiction of Mushrakh police station. Local authorities mobilized quickly upon receiving reports of the casualties, with investigations led by police commencing shortly after the incidents were reported.
The recurring tragedies underline a larger issue within the state, which has been under strict alcohol prohibition laws since April 2016. Despite the ban, illicit liquor continues to claim lives, with more than 150 fatalities linked to spurious alcohol consumption across the state since the implementation of the ban.
The prohibition policy was intended to curb alcohol-related issues but has instead led to an underground market flourishing with dangerous, unregulated products. Last year, the state witnessed its worst hooch tragedy, where 73 individuals in Saran district succumbed to poisonous liquor consumption.
Given the series of fatal incidents, there are growing calls from various quarters of society to reconsider the prohibition law, arguing that regulation rather than an outright ban would be more effective in preventing such tragedies.
Critics of the current policy, including social activists and community leaders, assert that a regulated market with stringent checks could significantly reduce the risks associated with unlicensed alcohol. However, the government has resisted these calls, with the Bihar Chief Minister firmly stating that no compensation will be given to the families of the victims as they were involved in illegal activities under the state’s prohibition laws.
As the community mourns and the authorities continue their investigations, the debate on the efficacy of prohibition versus regulation is expected to intensify, potentially influencing future legislative decisions in Bihar.