20 dead in Bihar’s Siwan after consuming spurious liquor

At least 20 people have died after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those who died in the incident. However, he said that the families would need to give a written undertaking in support of alcohol ban in the state.
A top police official said that people fell sick after consuming spurious liquor on October 15. He added that three individuals have been arrested while FIRs have been filed against eight others.
Police said that the spurious liquor came from Siwan and that teams have been formed to probe the matter. The official claimed that raids are being conducted in connection with the case and information about the substance will only be known after the post-mortem report comes out.
Meanwhile, the RJD slammed the NDA government in Bihar over deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor.
“People have lost their lives by drinking spurious liquor. It is very sad and a matter of concern that despite the liquor ban law being in force in Bihar, spurious liquor is available. Every time during Holi and Diwali, it is seen how people die due to spurious liquor. The NDA government is directly responsible for this,” RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said.
Siwan Councillor Sushil Kumar Dablu accused the government of hiding the exact number of casualties. He said the number of deaths in the incident is nearing 50 while as many are hospitalised.
“The administration always reports false figures… They are trying to cover up. Had the administration been alert, such an incident would never have happened. Ever since liquor has been banned in the state, such incidents have happened very frequently,” he said.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said people haven’t died but have been “murdered”. He said the number of casualties has increased to 30 while several have even lost their eyesight.
“Such a big incident has happened but the Chief Minister has not expressed sympathy towards the victims so far… People have not died, they have been murdered,” he said.
“In the last 24 hours, we have conducted 250 raids in which we have recovered 1650 litres of alcohol in the district. Around 37 people have been arrested so far,” a police official said.