BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh.
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The Nitish Kumar-led government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday clashed over a report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the death of 40 people after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Saran district last year. There was an argument. In this NHRC report, the administration has been blamed for the Saran spurious liquor case.
According to reports in a section of the media, the NHRC had taken cognizance of the death due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar which had a complete prohibition. According to the NHRC’s findings in the report, only 38 deaths were officially confirmed due to consumption of spurious liquor as against the death toll of over 70.
Speaking to reporters outside the Bihar Legislative Council, BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh said, “Keeping in mind the media reports, I raised the matter inside the House.” The government is accused of hiding the correct figures and we demand answers from the government on this. Reports said the NHRC alleged that the administration was forcing the bereaved family members to take the bodies for cremation without disclosing the exact cause of death.
However, when asked about this, Member of the Legislative Council and Bihar Minister Ashok Chowdhary said, “I am not aware of any such NHRC report.” He said, even if there is such a report, I would like to know from which source the NHRC has collected its information. The administration tried to reduce the death toll, it is completely wrong.
Chaudhary said, under the rule, the family members of those who die of unnatural causes get ex-gratia. Funds are sent directly to bank accounts. We would like to know whether the NHRC has reached its conclusion on the basis of rumours.
This was the biggest liquor tragedy in the history of the state in December last year since total prohibition was implemented in Bihar in April 2016. BJP leaders had claimed that the death toll due to consumption of spurious liquor was more than 100, although the government insisted that the death toll was 38 and that media reports of around 50 casualties due to consumption of spurious liquor were misleading.