Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Monday that he would pay 4 lakh to the kin of victims who died in the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s East Champaran district if the families stated in writing that they supported the state’s alcohol ban.
The Bihar opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government for failing to control hooch tragedies.
Nitish Kumar said that, “This is a sad incident. We’ll provide ₹4 lakhs to the families of the deceased, from CM relief fund but they should provide in writing that they are in favour of alcohol ban in the state and that they’re against drinking alcohol.”
In 2016, the Nitish Kumar government banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in Bihar.
As of Monday morning, the death toll in the liquor tragedy had risen to 26, with another 20 people in critical condition.
According to Bihar Police, over 25 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Strict disciplinary action was taken against 11 police officers, and the SHOs of four police stations were suspended for dereliction of duty.