Bihar liquor tragedy toll rises to 26

Patna, Dec 9 (IANS) The death toll in a hooch tragedy in Bihar has risen to 26 with eight more people losing their lives, police said Sunday.

"Eight more people have died since Saturday after consuming spurious liquor," a police official said.

The tragedy occurred Thursday night in Anitha village in Bhojpur district, some 60 km from here, where villagers complained of stomach pain and threw up after consuming locally made liquor.

Nine people, including four woman, died Thursday, three Friday and six Saturday, police said.

Bhojpur Superintendent of Police M.R. Nayak said over two dozen people had been arrested in this connection. "More arrests are likely," he said.

District Magistrate Pratima S. Verma said a six-member committee had been set up to probe the incident.

The deaths sparked widespread protests in Bhojpur. Hundreds of students blocked roads Sunday while BJP legislator Amrendra Pratap blamed the state government for the incident.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders said the government’s policy to promote sale of country liquor was responsible for the deaths.

–Indo-Asian News Service