Patna, April 7 (NationPress) Following the tragic incident involving spurious liquor in Motihari (East Champaran), which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, Bettiah (West Champaran) authorities have initiated a robust campaign against illegal liquor activities.

The police, in collaboration with the Prohibition Department, have escalated their operations throughout various police jurisdictions, such as Shikarpur, Nautan, and Majhaulia, aiming to eradicate the illegal liquor trade.

In a significant operation in the Shikarpur area, law enforcement officials destroyed enough raw ingredients to produce approximately 3,500 litres of illicit alcohol.

Additionally, thorough search missions were conducted in the Nautan and Majhaulia regions.

In Dabariya village, located within the Nautan police jurisdiction, police apprehended Vishwajeet Kumar, also known as Golden.

Authorities seized 36 litres of foreign liquor from him, cleverly concealed within a maize field.

A police representative noted that the suspect has a prior record of liquor trafficking, having been arrested previously in 2024 with 423 litres of alcohol.

Moreover, seven others were taken into custody from various locations for alcohol-related offenses.

Charges have been filed against them under the Excise Act, and further legal actions are in progress.

Deputy Superintendent of the Prohibition Department, Seema Chaurasia, verified that surveillance has been significantly bolstered, specifically in border regions, in light of the Motihari hooch tragedy.

She asserted that the crackdown on illegal liquor manufacturing and trafficking will persist vigorously, ensuring stringent adherence to prohibition laws throughout the state.

This intensified effort demonstrates the administration's determination to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies and dismantle the networks engaged in the illicit liquor trade.

The East Champaran hooch incident commenced on April 2, when numerous individuals from various areas fell ill after consuming spurious liquor.

The death toll escalated swiftly.

By April 4, authorities had confirmed seven fatalities, including Chandu Kumar, Pramod Kumar, Parikshan Manjhi, Hiralal Bhagat, Lalkishore Rai, Sampat Sah, and Laddu Sah.

On April 5, Md. Ilyas Ansari, along with Laddu Sah (from Balganga) and Jodha Manjhi, also succumbed.

On April 7, Jitendra Shah passed away in the hospital.

Currently, 11 individuals have died, while approximately 15 others are still hospitalized.

Alarmingly, at least six victims are reported to have lost their eyesight.