In East Champaran district of Bihar, a suspected hooch tragedy has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, with over a dozen others falling ill allegedly due to consuming toxic liquor. Panic has gripped the affected villages following the incident. Sources indicate that several people in Balganga village consumed suspected spurious liquor, leading to the tragic outcomes. The deceased have been identified as Pramod Yadav, Chandu Kumar, Parishan Manjhi, and another individual.
Eyewitnesses have revealed that the liquor was possibly tainted with industrial spirit, causing severe health issues among the victims. Symptoms like restlessness, intense headaches, vomiting, and physical weakness manifested within hours of consumption. One victim even lost vision in both eyes due to the deteriorating effects of the liquor. Loha Thakur, one of the affected individuals, shared that they mistook the liquor for regular alcohol, highlighting the deceptive nature of the toxic substance.
Amid fears of legal repercussions under prohibition laws, some villagers are discreetly seeking medical treatment to avoid public hospitals. Local medical practitioners have cautioned that toxic elements like methanol, commonly found in illicit liquor, can be life-threatening or result in permanent harm, including blindness. Reports of additional deaths circulating in the area have heightened tensions, although official confirmation of fatalities is pending verification, according to local representatives.
This tragic incident has reignited memories of a significant hooch tragedy in Motihari a couple of years ago, where 42 individuals lost their lives. Despite the enforcement of prohibition in Bihar, incidents involving spurious liquor persist, raising alarms about the presence of illegal alcohol networks and enforcement deficiencies.
