New Delhi, Dec.16 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to the Bihar government and Director General of Police (DGP) over the Saran hooch tragedy in which 60 people have died so far and sought a report within four weeks, said Jaimini Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Director, Media and Communication of NHRC.
Srivastava said that NHRC wants to know how this happened despite a ban on liquor in the state and what action is being taken against negligent cops.
“Suo moto cognizance taken over Hooch tragedy notices issued to Chief Secretary & DGP of Bihar seeking a report within four weeks, NHRC wants to know how this happened despite a ban on liquor in state and what action is being taken against negligent cops,” Srivastava added.
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that several people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Saran district of Bihar.
The sale and consumption of alcohol were completely banned in Bihar in April 2016, though its implementation has been patchy.
“The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise concern for human rights. Apparently, the reported incident indicates the failure of the State Government to implementation of its policy of prohibition of sale and consumption of illicit/spurious liquor in the State of Bihar,” the NHRC said in a statement.
Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter including the status of the FIR registered by the police, medical treatment of the victims who are hospitalized, and compensation if any, granted to the aggrieved families.
