Hooch tragedy claims several lives in dry Bihar

Officials put death toll at six, while villagers say at least 20 have died; several of the victims lost eyesight, while others are battling for life; family members block highway in protest; three held

Six villagers have died in a suspected hooch tragedy in Saran district in dry Bihar, the district administration said on Wednesday. However, villagers told mediapersons that at least 20 people had died in several villages.

The district administration has confirmed six deaths due to a “suspected hooch tragedy” in villages under the Masrakh, Marhaura, Amnour and Ishuapur Blocks of Chhapra, district headquarter of Saran district, in dry Bihar.

“Three people have been taken into custody,” Prohibition, Excise and Registration Minister Sunil Kumar said.

Family members told local mediapersons that the victims had gone to the Doyila village market under the Ishuapur block in Chhapra on Monday and consumed liquor on Monday night. “Their condition deteriorated on December 13 and five of them died the same night while others lost their lives on December 14 morning,” a family member of the deceased Ramesh Ram told local media persons.

Irate family members of the deceased blocked the State Highway near Hanuman chowk in Chhapra and disrupted the movement of traffic. They burnt tyres and shouted slogans against the district administration, demanding compensation for the kin of those who had died in the hooch tragedy. They also demanded action against those involved in the incident.

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“The death toll will increase by tomorrow [Thursday] as several critically people are undergoing treatment in private hospitals secretively for fear of the police,” the protesting villagers said. Reports suggested several of the deceased had lost their eyesight, others were struggling for life in different hospitals of the district. Among them, four persons have been referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment.