“SIT probing hooch tragedy, 14 people arrested”: Gopalganj SP Awdhesh Dixit

Gopalganj (Bihar) [India], October 18 (ANI): After 33 people were killed in two incidents of consumption of spurious liquor, Gopalganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Awdhesh Dixit on Friday said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the matter and 14 people have been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy.

SP Gopalganj Awdhesh Dixit said that the police have arrested 14 people and conducted raids at over 200 places.

“Two people have died in suspicious circumstances. 4-5 people are under treatment. The SIT is probing and conducting the raids. We are identifying the people who may have consumed illicit liquor and taking action. We have arrested 14 people and conducted raids at over 200 places. We have also seized and destroyed raw materials of over 5000 litres. Yesterday, we had seized around 350 litres of liquor,” Gopalganj SP said.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government is working very effectively and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given instructions to the DGP.

“This is painful. The government is working very effectively. The Chief Minister has given instructions to the DGP. A committee has been formed. Whoever has done this will be punished. The administration needs to be vigilant to implement the liquor ban effectively… Tejashwi Yadav asks questions every day, you know what was the condition of Bihar during his parents’ time,” Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The death toll in the state has risen to 33 with 28 dead in Siwan and 5 dead in Saran, Bihar.

The suspected hooch tragedy has triggered a political blame game with opposition parties questioning the efficacy of the ban on the sale and consumption of liquor, imposed by the Nitish Kumar government.