Patna, April 7 (IANS) In the wake of the spurious liquor tragedy in Motihari (East Champaran), where 11 people lost their lives, authorities in Bettiah (West Champaran), on Tuesday, launched an aggressive crackdown on illegal liquor operations.

The police, along with the Prohibition Department, have intensified raids across multiple police station areas, including Shikarpur, Nautan, and Majhaulia, as part of a district-wide campaign to dismantle illicit liquor networks.

During a major operation in the Shikarpur police station area, authorities destroyed raw materials sufficient to produce nearly 3,500 litres of illicit liquor.

Simultaneously, extensive search operations were conducted in the Nautan and Majhaulia regions.

In Dabariya village under Nautan police station limits, police arrested Vishwajeet Kumar alias Golden.

A total of 36 litres of foreign liquor was recovered from his possession, hidden inside a maize field.

A police official said that the accused has a history of involvement in liquor smuggling and was previously arrested in 2024 with 423 litres of liquor.

Additionally, seven individuals were detained from various locations on charges of alcohol consumption.

Cases have been registered against them under the Excise Act, and further legal proceedings are underway.

Deputy Superintendent of the Prohibition Department, Seema Chaurasia, confirmed that surveillance has been significantly intensified, particularly in border areas, following the Motihari hooch tragedy.

She emphasised that the operation against illegal liquor manufacturing and smuggling will continue with full force, ensuring strict enforcement of prohibition laws across the state.

The intensified action reflects the administration’s resolve to prevent a repeat of such tragedies and to dismantle the networks responsible for the illegal liquor trade.

The East Champaran hooch tragedy began on April 2, when multiple individuals across different localities fell ill after consuming spurious liquor.

The death toll rose rapidly.

Till April 4, the authorities have registered seven deaths, including Chandu Kumar, Pramod Kumar, Parikshan Manjhi, Hiralal Bhagat, Lalkishore Rai, Sampat Sah, and Laddu Sah.

On April 5, Md. Ilyas Ansari, Laddu Sah (from Balganga), and Jodha Manjhi lost their lives.

On April 7, Jitendra Shah succumbed in the hospital.

As of now, 11 people have lost their lives, while around 15 others remain hospitalised.

Alarmingly, at least six victims have reportedly lost their eyesight.

–IANS

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