New Delhi: With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar facing heat over the deaths in Bihar’s Chhapra due to the consumption of spurious alcohol and additional reports of casualties in other districts, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to send a team led by one of its own members to conduct an on ground investigation.
In its official press release issued Saturday, the commission stated that it has decided to depute its own investigation team for an on the spot enquiry since the panel is concerned about the treatment being provided to the victims, most of whom are from poor families. Taking suo moto cognizance of media reports of deaths in Saran district, it further asked for the state government to submit detailed reports within four weeks.
While the tragedy on Tuesday has renewed political discussion about the enforcement of the liquor ban in Bihar, concerns have also been expressed about the standard of care provided to the victims.
“The Commission would like to know about the relief and rehabilitation given by the State Government as well as the measures taken or proposed to be taken to dismantle clandestine hooch manufacturing hot spots across the state with a view to completely eradicate this social menace, intermittently happening in the State of Bihar”, the rights panel noted.
According to sources, the deputation is yet to reach Bihar for investigation.
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What happened in Bihar?
According to latest reports, district officials reported 28 fatalities, although local estimates place the number as high as 70. The communities that are part of the Mashrak block of the Saran district have been impacted by the hooch disaster.
Alcohol has been banned in Bihar since 2016. Yet Bihar records higher alcohol consumption than Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, India Today reported.
NHRC also noted that even after the ban on consumption of liquor in 2016, the government has been unable to stop the sale of spurious liquor.
War of words
Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, stated on Thursday that those who will consume alcohol will die. He said, “Piyoge toh maroge hi, compensation kaisa? (If you drink, you’ll die. No compensation will be given.)”
The high death toll in Bihar has sparked a political slugfest, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) urging Nitish to reevaluate the state’s prohibition policy, and Nitish and the ruling Janata Dal (United) arguing that the policy has to be enforced more strictly.
The CM has directed police not to detain victims of the disaster who are impoverished for drinking alcohol and has promised the relatives of the victims compensation of Rs 1 lakh each. He further denied claims that such incidents were caused due to the prohibition and asserted that spurious liquor was killing people even before the ban.
(Edited by Anumeha Saxena)
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