At least four people died, and several others hospitalized after consuming illicit liquor in Bihar’s Siwan, police said on Wednesday.
Siwan police said two to three people were referred to the state capital, Patna, as their condition was critical. The local police said 15 people were brought to the civil hospital for treatment.
The police said the incident happened after consuming spurious liquor at Madhar village under Bhagwanpur police limits in Siwan district late on Tuesday.
According to police, the victims gathered at a local shop and consumed liquor late in the evening. They complained of loss of vision, vomiting and abdomen aches after reaching home. While four persons died during treatment, two were taken to Patna for treatment.
Siwan District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta said that a team has been sent to the village to inquire into the matter. “We have received reports of the death of some people at Madhar village. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained,” he said.
“Legal action is being taken against Bhagwanpur SHO and Prohibition ASI of Bhagwanpur police station,” Siwan District Magistrate added.
In an other incident, One person died and two others were admitted to hospital after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Saran district.
According to police the incident occured in Ibrahimpur area, under the jurisdiction of Mushrakh police station of Saran district.
“On the basis of information received by officials pertaining to suspected hooch death, police reached the spot on Wednesday morning and are investigating the matter. Two others have been admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment. The matter is being further examined,” PTI quoted Saran police as saying.
The sale and consumption of alcohol was banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.
The Bihar government recently admitted that more than 150 people have died because of consuming illicit liquor in the state ever since it went dry with much fanfare in April 2016.