Lagatar24 Desk
Patna, Dec 16: The Bihar government and the state’s police chief have received notices from the National Human Rights Commission over the liquor disaster in the Saran district in which at least 30 people have died.
Alcohol sales and consumption were totally outlawed in Bihar in April 2016, however, the NHRC noted that ‘implementation has been spotty’ since then.
The death toll from the Saran liquor catastrophe increased to 30, making it the most since Bihar’s prohibition more than six years ago. It continued to cast a shadow over the state assembly, when BJP members disrupted sessions in both Houses before conducting a march to Raj Bhavan.
Unconfirmed accounts, however, stated that up to 50 people perished after consuming illegally produced country liquor.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that several people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Saran district of Bihar. pic.twitter.com/fq0LZLcF18
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2022
“The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the media reports that several people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Saran district of Bihar,” it said.
“Apparently, the reported incident indicates the failure of the state government on implementation of its policy of prohibition of sale and consumption of illicit or spurious liquor in the state,” it added.
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Accordingly, it has sent notices to Bihar’s chief secretary and director general of police asking for a detailed report that includes the status of the FIR the police have filed, the medical care being provided to the victims who are being treated in hospitals, and any compensation given to the harmed families, according to the statement.
The commission is also interested in knowing what was done to punish the negligent policemen who caused the tragedy. It also said that the authorities should respond as soon as possible but no later than four weeks after these instructions were issued.