Bihar CM asks officials to continue action against liquor mafia with the help of drones, sniffer dogs
The Nitish Kumar government has decided to conduct a census of those who have given up the habit of drinking in dry Bihar. It has also directed the police and administrative officials to continue with the crackdown on the liquor mafia with the help of drones, sniffer dogs, motorboats etc.
Speaking at a meeting of the Prohibition and Excise Department, Mr. Kumar said, “In the last survey it was said that 1.64 crore people have given up drinking, but now we have to conduct a census to find out the exact number of people who quit the habit. has decided.” on Monday.
The Chief Minister directed the officers to continue the action against the liquor mafia and operators with the help of drones, motor boats, sniffer dogs etc. to destroy the illegal liquor manufacturing units.
ban since 2016
Bihar was declared a dry state in April 2016 following the enactment of the State Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016. Recently, police and Prohibition Department officials destroyed several illegal liquor manufacturing units set up with the help of drones. In river areas in Vaishali, Saran, Patna and other districts. The district police is using sniffer dogs to smoke illegal country liquor manufacturing units in villages and remote areas. However, in recent months more than 30 people have died from drinking the spurious liquor, while some have lost their eyesight.
However, the Nitish government has been criticized for such deaths of poor people and the availability of illicit liquor. But, Mr. Kumar is bent on implementing the stringent liquor law.
“We have also directed the officials to expedite the prosecution of those involved in the illegal liquor trade. Liquor was banned in Bihar in April 2016 and since then some other states also want to implement it”, Mr. Kumar said. Consumption has increased significantly. is banned and this is a rising sign for us.”
Manjhi’s stand
However, Mr. Kumar’s associate Jitan Ram Manjhi of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), addressing a gathering in Gaya on Tuesday said, “Drinking alcohol is a bad thing, but doctors and people say that a little should be drunk [liquor drinking is a bad thing but doctors and others say it should be taken in small quantity], Mr. Manjhi added, “They” [the officials] Don’t dare to arrest MLAs, IAS officers and big people who drink liquor from big bottles every night but they only catch poor people.
A few days back, ruling JD(U) MLA Narendra Kumar alias Gopal Mandal had courted controversy with his remarks on the consumption of illicit liquor and deaths due to it in the state. “Despite the Chief Minister’s regular appeal to not drink alcohol, people are consuming it and dying. It is good that it creates space in society and controls population”, said Mr. Mandal, who was recently caught walking around in his undergarments in the bogie of a train.
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