Bihar hooch toll hits 27, may rise further; 13 arrested so far

PATNA: The toll in the suspected spurious liquor case in Siwan and Saran districts in Bihar surged to 27 on Thursday. While Siwan district administration confirmed 20 deaths, authorities in Saran reported seven fatalities. A total of 13 people have been arrested till now, report & Manoj Chaurasia.

Officials feared that the toll might increase as many remained hospitalised in various health facilities in Saran, Siwan and Patna.

According to Siwan district administration, 20 people died under suspicious circumstances in the Maghar and Kaudiya panchayats. As many as 63 people have been admitted for treatment. Some critically ill patients were referred to Patna Medical College Hospital.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday asked officials concerned to take stern action against those responsible for the deaths.

Leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav blamed Nitish for the tragedy, accusing him of being unfit to govern the state.