Bihar: Watch Police bust illegal liquor making unit in Patna

With the death toll in the Saran hooch tragedy rising to 70, the Bihar Police have launched an operation to identify and arrest people suspected to be involved in the toxic liquor trade, transportation, brewing and smuggling.

The police conducted a raid on December 19 and busted an illegal liquor manufacturing unit near Patna’s Danapur Railway Station. The whole unit was hidden underground so that the police could not find it easily. Although, no one was found operating the illegal liquor manufacturing unit.

Also Read: Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk 2022 held in the ‘city of joy’ with vibrant colours; see pics

Watch the video here.

According to the police, the accused people were fermenting Mahua at the unit.

The death toll in the Saran hooch tragedy has risen to 70 after 10 more deaths were reported on December 17. The numbers can go up as several people are still hospitalised.

Most of the deaths were reported on December 21 and 22, triggering a debate between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan and Opposition BJP.

On December 18, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) apprehended a liquor smuggler in connection with the case in the Saran district. Cops also recovered Rs 2.17 lakh in cash from his possession. The accused was identified as Akhilesh Kumar Yadav.

Meanwhile, Bihar DGP SK Singhal said that the department is taking action against the cops who indulged in illegal liquor business.

“We are continuously taking action against the police officials involved in illegal activities. In 2020, we've dismissed 201 police officials, 172 police officials in 2021 and 206 police officials in 2022 till November,” Singhal said, as quoted by ANI.

Recently, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the state government will not pay compensation to family members of those who have died in the Saran hooch tragedy.