The death toll in the Siwan hooch tragedy has tragically increased to 28, according to a release from the District Public Relations Officer on Thursday. The overall count in Bihar has now reached 33, with 28 fatalities in Siwan and 5 in Saran.
So far, 79 individuals have been admitted to Siwan Sadar Hospital and Basantpur Primary Health Center, with 13 critically ill patients transferred to PMCH Patna for treatment. As reported, 30 patients have been successfully discharged from the hospital. The post-mortem examinations for the 28 deceased have been completed, and their bodies have been returned to their families.
In response to the crisis, a medical board comprising five senior doctors has been established. A total of 30 beds at Siwan Sadar Hospital, 20 beds at CHC Basantpur, and another 30 beds at Sub Division Hospital Maharajganj have been allocated for treating affected individuals. Hospitals have been put on high alert for the next 24 hours. Additionally, extra ambulances have been arranged in the impacted panchayats.
Senior administrative officers have been deployed across all hospitals, and directives have been issued to ANMs, Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, Vikas Mitra, and Panchayat workers to conduct door-to-door visits to identify any serious symptoms and refer individuals for medical care as needed.
The opposition has criticized the Bihar government, claiming its liquor ban policy has failed. RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav stated, “The liquor ban is a clear example of Shri Nitish Kumar’s institutional corruption. If the ban is in place, the government must enforce it fully. However, due to the Chief Minister’s ideological and policy inconsistencies, along with a reliance on select officials instead of public representatives, the liquor ban has flopped in Bihar.”
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha addressed the media on Friday, asserting that the government is taking the situation seriously and will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “The government is thoroughly investigating this matter, and the culprits will be exposed. Those exploiting the lives of the poor will not go unpunished. The liquor ban has been implemented with everyone’s consent, and we urge cooperation to enforce it fully, rather than shielding the criminals involved in this tragedy,” Sinha stated.
