Bihar: 10 more die after consuming illicit liquor, toll rises to 35

In Bihar, ten more people died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Siwan and Saran districts, taking the toll in the hooch tragedy to 35, an official said on Friday.Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Saran range, Nilesh Kumar said that while Siwan accounted for 28 fatalities, seven deaths have been reported from Saran. "As many as 28 people in Maghar and Auriya panchayats in Siwan district have so far died after consuming suspected illicit liquor. Seven people in Ibrahimpur area under the jurisdiction of Mashrakh police station in Saran district also died after consuming suspected spurious liquor", the DIG said.Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi says, "The issue of deaths due to poisonous liquor is a serious concern, and it saddens us deeply... Prohibition is in place, but still, everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of alcohol..."

Delhi: On Bihar's Siwan spurious liquor case, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi says, "The issue of deaths due to poisonous liquor is a serious concern, and it saddens us deeply... Prohibition is in place, but still, everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of alcohol..." pic.twitter.com/RB2ANIzrpj

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The suspected hooch tragedy has triggered a political blame game with opposition parties questioning the efficacy of the ban on sale and consumption of liquor, imposed by the Nitish Kumar government more than eight years ago. Locals in both districts claimed that people lost their lives after "consuming illicit liquor". Around 15 people have been arrested so far by the police in connection with incidents in both districts. The administrations of both districts have suspended three chowkidars of Maghar, Auriya and Ibrahimpur areas following the incident. Another senior police officer said show cause notices have been issued to at least five police personnel.