Two Lives Lost, Two Blinded After Consuming Illicit Liquor

Two individuals have tragically lost their lives, and two more have been left without their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s eastern state. The incident has once again highlighted the persistent issue of illicit alcohol trade in the otherwise “dry” state of Bihar, where the sale and consumption of liquor are strictly prohibited by law.

The heartbreaking fatalities occurred in the vicinity of the Qazi Mohammadpur police station, located approximately 72 kilometers north of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. The victims, residents of Pokharia Pir locality, reportedly returned home under the influence of alcohol three days prior to their demise. Shortly thereafter, they fell seriously ill and, despite receiving medical treatment, succumbed to their conditions.

Disturbingly, two other individuals from the same locality suffered the devastating consequence of losing their eyesight due to the consumption of the tainted liquor.

Local law enforcement swiftly launched an investigation into the incident, with a concerted effort to identify and locate those responsible for distributing the illicit liquor. A comprehensive crackdown on illegal liquor suppliers has been initiated in the district, aiming to root out this perilous underground trade.

Authorities are gravely concerned that the number of affected individuals may rise as they conduct door-to-door searches in the area, identifying those who have fallen ill after ingesting the toxic concoction.

This incident is a stark reminder of the persistent challenge posed by the clandestine sale of spurious liquor in Bihar, despite the stringent prohibition laws in place. In April of this year, the state witnessed a tragic incident where over 30 lives were claimed by suspected toxic liquor consumption.

The prohibition of liquor sale and consumption was enforced in Bihar in 2016, largely due to the advocacy of women’s groups, who aimed to curb the squandering of meager earnings by laborers on alcohol. However, despite these efforts, tragedies linked to illicit liquor consumption continue to occur with alarming frequency.

One of the most devastating incidents took place in December 2022 when more than 90 people lost their lives, and numerous others were hospitalized due to the consumption of contaminated bootleg liquor in the state. The government and law enforcement agencies face an ongoing battle to eradicate the underground liquor trade and ensure the safety and well-being of Bihar’s residents.