Panic has struck parts of Saran district in Bihar following the deaths of five individuals under suspicious circumstances since March 11. The fatalities, with two reported in Panapur police station areas and three in Mashrak police station areas, have raised concerns of a potential hooch tragedy in the region. The sudden deaths have left villagers anxious, questioning law enforcement and the district administration’s effectiveness.
Family members of the deceased, grieving in their homes, allege that the victims passed away after consuming adulterated alcohol. They claim that the victims exhibited symptoms like diminishing eyesight and severe restlessness, often linked to suspected consumption of spurious liquor. While family members point to alcohol consumption before the health deterioration, the district administration is awaiting official medical reports before making definitive statements.
Senior officials from the district administration and police swiftly responded to the incident upon notification, rushing to the affected villages. All five bodies have been taken into police custody for post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death. The police have classified the cases as “suspicious deaths” and initiated an investigation, intensifying raids in Mashrak and Panapur to uncover individuals involved in illegal liquor activities.
Authorities have formed special teams to dismantle suspected networks supplying spurious liquor in the region, issuing alerts and closely monitoring suspicious activities to avert further incidents. Despite the Bihar government’s ban on liquor production, trade, consumption, and transportation since April 2016, hooch tragedies persist in various Bihar districts.
