East Champaran Hooch Tragedy Claims Five Lives, Police Launch Crackdown
The death toll in the devastating hooch tragedy in East Champaran district of Bihar has escalated to five, following the demise of four additional individuals on Friday. Authorities have confirmed that nine people are currently undergoing medical treatment, while seven others have been discharged from various hospitals after consuming toxic liquor earlier this week.
Details of the Fatal Incidents
The victims allegedly consumed spurious liquor and spirit between Tuesday and Wednesday in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur police station areas. The first casualty was Chandu Kumar, a 25-year-old three-wheeler driver from Raghunathpur, who passed away on Wednesday night.
Subsequently, Loha Thakur, 40, from Balganga village, was admitted to a nursing home in Motihari, where doctors confirmed his consumption of hooch. He, along with Pramod Yadav (30), Trial Manjhi (46), and Hiralal Mahato, succumbed to their conditions in different nursing homes across Motihari and Muzaffarpur on Friday.
Earlier, Chuman, a 25-year-old from Fulwaghat village under Turkauliya police station, died on Tuesday. His body was cremated without police notification, as villagers reportedly suppressed the matter out of fear. Police have not yet confirmed if his death was linked to liquor consumption.
Severe Health Impacts and Legal Actions
According to local reports, six patients have lost their eyesight after ingesting the toxic liquor, highlighting the severe health consequences of this incident. Family members of the deceased Pramod and Hiralal have filed cases against the bootleggers involved.
Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat stated, "Naga Rai is the kingpin behind the manufacture and sale of this liquor in the area. He has been arrested by police. All members of Naga's family are involved in this racket."
Police Response and Investigations
Champaran range Deputy Inspector General Har Kishor Rai, who is camping in Turkauliya along with District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal and SP Swarn Prabhat, confirmed five deaths in the hooch tragedy across Turkauliya and Raghunathpur villages.
"A special team has been formed under the leadership of Motihari Sub-Divisional Police Officer Dilip Kumar, along with two other deputy superintendents of police, to investigate the case," the DIG added.
In response to the tragedy, the Station House Officer of Turkauliya police station has been suspended, while the chowkidar of Parsauna village, Bharat Rai, has been arrested. The DIG appealed to the public to avoid consuming any stored spurious liquor.
Arrests and Seizures
Police have arrested several alleged members of the liquor mafia, including Naga Rai, Jammu Baitha, and Bharat Rai, in connection with the case. Authorities have seized approximately 2,000 litres of spurious liquor as part of their ongoing crackdown.
