Suspicious Deaths in Bihar's Saran Raise Hooch Concerns
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Patna, March 13 (NationPress) Widespread alarm has struck various regions of Saran district in Bihar following the suspicious deaths of five individuals since March 11, igniting concerns of a potential hooch tragedy.
Officials report that two fatalities were recorded in the jurisdiction of the Panapur police station, while three others occurred in areas overseen by the Mashrak police station.
The abrupt nature of these deaths has instilled fear among residents, prompting inquiries regarding local law enforcement and the efficacy of the district’s administration.
Grief envelops the households of the deceased, with family members asserting that the victims passed away after ingesting illicit liquor.
Relatives contend that the victims consumed alcohol shortly before their health rapidly declined.
Family sources indicate that the deceased exhibited symptoms like blurred vision and extreme agitation, which are frequently linked with the consumption of suspected counterfeit liquor.
Nonetheless, the district administration has opted to withhold any conclusive statements pending the arrival of official medical reports.
Upon receiving alerts about the situation, senior district and police officials promptly visited the affected villages.
The authorities have taken custody of all five bodies, sending them for post-mortem examinations.
Officials noted that the precise cause of death will be clarified only after the post-mortem and viscera analyses are completed.
Currently, the police are treating the cases as “suspicious deaths” and have initiated an investigation.
In response to this incident, law enforcement has intensified raids in numerous areas of Mashrak and Panapur to identify individuals involved in the illegal liquor trade and production.
Specialized teams have been established to dismantle suspected networks that distribute counterfeit liquor within the vicinity.
Authorities have issued a cautionary alert across the district and are vigilantly monitoring any dubious activities to avert further incidents.
Since April 2016, the Bihar government has enforced a ban on the production, trade, consumption, and transportation of liquor.
However, reports of hooch tragedies continue to surface from various districts throughout Bihar.