'If you consume wrong...': Bihar CM after dozens die due to liquor poisoning

Death toll in a suspected spurious liquor consumption case in Bihar climbed to 23 on Friday. Eight fresh casualties, six from West Champaran & two from Gopalganj districts, were reported. The case also saw 24 people getting arrested, five others detained & two cops arrested. West Champaran & Gopalganj have recorded 12 & 11 deaths respectively in twin hooch tragedies. West Champaran SP confirmed six more deaths in the district took place over the last 24 hours. The cop further informed that 10 others who had also fallen ill were undergoing treatment. “21 including 10 people in Betttiah & 11 people in Golpalganj have died. Two more deaths in Bettiah are suspected due to illegal liquor consumption. The case is under investigation, we are waiting for the post-mortem report. But we are viewing the cause as due to the consumption of illegal liquor. Those admitted to different hospitals are in stable condition,” Bihar Minister Sunil Kumar said. In Gopalganj, four people were under treatment for illness due to consumption of suspected illicit hooch. A local station house officer (SHO) & one chowkidar have been suspended in West Champaran. Sale & consumption of liquor has been banned in Bihar since April 2016.