Police Shoot Main Accused in Bihar Hooch Tragedy During Weapon Recovery Operation
In a dramatic late-night incident in Bihar's Saran district, police shot at the primary accused in a suspected hooch tragedy that claimed multiple lives earlier this month. The confrontation occurred on Sunday night during an operation to recover illegal weapons.
Arrest and Escalation
Suraj Mahto, identified as a key figure in the illicit liquor trade, was arrested earlier from Katihar district based on secret intelligence received by authorities. A special police team, formed under the direction of SSP Vineet Kumar due to the case's seriousness, had been tracking Mahto since he went absconding following the suspected liquor deaths.
After his arrest, police were transporting Mahto back to Saran district for interrogation regarding other locations connected to the illegal liquor business and his associates. As part of this investigation, officers took him to Karnakudariya village under the Mashrakh police station area to search for spirits and materials linked to the illicit trade.
Violent Confrontation
During this recovery operation, Mahto seized an opportunity and suddenly opened fire on the police team using a hidden weapon, attempting to flee the scene. In what authorities describe as an act of self-defense, police returned fire, with one bullet striking Mahto in the leg.
"He was interrogated in the district to gather information about other locations linked to the illegal liquor business and his associates," explained SSP Vineet Kumar regarding the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
Background of the Case
The incident follows a suspected hooch tragedy that occurred approximately a week earlier, between March 11 and 13, when five people died under suspicious circumstances in separate incidents across Saran district. Family members of the deceased alleged that the deaths resulted from consuming spurious liquor.
Police confirmed that of the five fatalities, three victims were from the Mashrakh police station area while two were from the Panapur police station area. Suraj Mahto, a resident of Mithao village in the Panapur police station area, was named as one of the accused in this case.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Following the shooting, police immediately rushed the injured Mahto to Chhapra Sadar Hospital for medical treatment. He remains hospitalized under tight security while receiving care, with interrogation continuing at the medical facility.
Authorities have confirmed that raids are being conducted to identify and arrest other individuals involved in the illicit liquor case. The special investigation team continues to pursue leads regarding the network responsible for the suspected hooch distribution that led to multiple deaths earlier this month.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the illegal liquor trade in Bihar, particularly following tragic incidents that claim innocent lives. Police emphasize that their actions during the recovery operation were necessary for officer safety after Mahto initiated violence.
