Bihar hooch tragedy toll rises to 26; Nitish Kumar says those who consume alcohol will die
The HinduThe toll of deaths in the hooch tragedy in dry Bihar went up to 26 on Thursday while villagers said over 40 people have died so far. The Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party legislators made a ruckus in the Bihar legislature and demanded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s resignation over hooch tragedy. “So far, we’ve got reports of death of 26 people in Saran district in hooch tragedy, still some people are admitted in hospital”, Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena said. Meanwhile, senior State BJP leader and party Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi said that over 1,000 people have died in the last six years ever since liquor was banned in Bihar and over 6 lakh people were arrested for violation of new liquor laws. “Bihar has now become a police State,” charged Mr. Modi while adding, “Yes, BJP had supported prohibition laws in the State but when so many people have died and arrested under this law, the government must review it.” Pandemonium inside the State Assembly On Thursday, Opposition BJP legislators raised the issue of hooch deaths in Saran district and created pandemonium inside the State Assembly and Council.