Bihar : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday criticised the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government for the hooch catastrophe in Saran, claiming that the episode showed that the state’s alcohol prohibition policy had not been properly implemented.
Citing suo motu consideration of media reports, the NHRC sent letters to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police in Bihar and stated that although the sale and consumption of alcohol was totally outlawed in Bihar in April 2016, its enforcement had been “patchy.”
The Commission directed the officials four weeks to produce “comprehensive” reports outlining the FIR’s current status, the victims’ hospitalisation and medical care, and any compensation given to the families. Additionally, it has requested information on the steps taken to hold the cops accountable for the incident.
As noted by the NHRC, “If the information in the media is accurate, it raises questions for human rights. The alleged incidence appears to demonstrate the state’s failure to carry out its policy of forbidding the sale and consumption of illicit/spurious alcohol in Bihar “.