Spurious Liquor Tragedy Claims Multiple Lives in Bihar's Saran District
A tragic incident has unfolded in Bihar's Saran district, where at least five individuals have lost their lives and four others are fighting for survival after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. The deaths, occurring since March 11, have sparked controversy as the district administration attributes them to various non-alcohol-related causes, while local residents and grieving family members firmly point to illicit liquor as the culprit.
Details of the Fatalities and Conflicting Narratives
The victims include Raghuvir Mahto, a resident of Purab Tola in the Mashrak police station area, who died during treatment on March 13. Interestingly, Raghuvir was also accused of selling liquor, adding a layer of complexity to the case. Earlier, on March 11, Santosh Mahto, son of Chandrama Mahto from the same Mashrak area, also passed away. While the administration labeled his death as illness-related, his family members insist he had consumed liquor before returning home.
In a separate incident, fifty-year-old Sukan Nat, from Dhenuki village in the Panapur police station area, died under suspicious circumstances on March 12. The administration described this as a normal death, but suspicions linger. Meanwhile, 42-year-old Dharmendra Rai, a resident of Dubauli village in the same Panapur area, died during treatment on March 12. His family alleges that spurious liquor consumption caused his death, and police have initiated an investigation based on similar suspicions.
Administration's Stance and Ongoing Investigations
When questioned about the matter, Saran District Magistrate Vaibhav Shrivastav stated, "So far, there was no official confirmation of anyone's death due to spurious liquor. Santosh's death was caused by illness, while Dharmendra died during treatment in Patna." He added that family members are claiming the deceased consumed something like liquor, but the actual cause of death can only be determined after forensic examination results are available.
The administration has conducted post-mortems and preserved viscera for forensic analysis. They have also appealed to the public to seek immediate hospital treatment if anyone falls ill at home, highlighting concerns over potential health risks in the community.
Local Reports and Additional Casualties
According to local sources, several other people have fallen ill after consuming liquor and are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals. In a related development, Pankaj Kumar Singh, son of late Umesh Singh, and Raghuvir Mahto, son of Parshuram Mahto, both residents of Purab Tola in the Mashrak area, died on March 13. Raghuvir's death occurred after he was arrested by police on charges of selling liquor, further complicating the narrative.
This incident underscores the ongoing issue of illicit alcohol in the region, with families demanding accountability and clarity amidst conflicting reports from authorities.
