Bihar hooch tragedy: BJP MLAs protest outside state assembly

Patna (Bihar) [India], December 15 (ANI): Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs protested outside the state assembly on Thursday over the hooch tragedy in Chapra that has claimed 39 lives so far.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar entered the State Assembly in Patna through a gathering of BJP MLAs protesting the Chapra hooch tragedy.
The protesters were holding banners and raising slogans against the government.
Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told media persons waiting for his reaction on the 39 deaths so far in the Chhapra hooch tragedy that if "someone consumes spurious liquor, they will die" as he came under heavy pressure on his alleged failed excise policy.
Defending the liquor ban in Bihar, he said that the state's prohibition policy has benefitted several people and a large number of people have given up drinking alcohol due to his measures.
"The liquor ban has benefited several people. A large number of people have given up alcohol...This is good. Several people have happily accepted this. But there are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them," Kumar told the media in Patna.
"I have told officers that they shouldn't catch the poor. People manufacturing liquor and carrying on liquor trade should be caught," Kumar said.
The chief minister also said: "I am ready to give Rs 1 lakh each to people to start their own work. We'll raise the amount if needed, but nobody should get involved in the liquor business."
"Last time, when people died due to spurious liquor, someone said they should be compensated. If someone consumes spurious liquor, they'll die - an example is before us. This should be condoled, those places should be visited and people should be explained about the fallout of their action," Nitish Kumar said.
After the first death late Tuesday in a Chhapra hospital, the toll reached 39 on Thursday.
In its wake, Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar. (ANI)