Bihar hooch tragedy: Nitish Kumar reiterates 'piyoge to maroge', says no compensation for deaths

NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday reiterated his 'piyoge to maroge' remark inside the state assembly after an uproar over the rising death toll due to consumption of spurious liquor in the state.

Addressing the state assembly, Nitish Kumar firmly stated that no compensation will be given to people who died after drinking and repeated that "if you drink alcohol you will die".


"No compensation will be given to people who died after drinking. We have been appealing for a long time - if you drink, you will die. I am going to appeal once again If someone drinks illicit liquor, he will definitely die. and those who talk in favour of drinking will not benefit from it," Nitish said.


Staying firm on continuing the policy of prohibition in Bihar in the face of hooch deaths, Nitish 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 sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish government in 2016.

Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Bihar government and state police chief over the rising deaths and has asked for a response in four weeks time.

The death toll in Bihar's latest hooch disaster Thursday swelled to 60 and several people are still hospitalised. Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended immediately after the Tuesday night tragedy on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar.

The state BJP leaders have demanded compensation for the family of the deceased and held a protest march to the governor's House.

"The government is giving protection to criminals. 'Daru, Balu, and Bhrashtachar' have become the agenda of the govt. We've requested the Governor to intervene and if necessary then dismiss this government," leader of the opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha said.

"Government should make a law to give compensation to the next of kin of those who die from spurious liquor. We've told governor that thousands of people have died due to spurious liquor, murder, and kidnapping. Death figures are being hidden and voice of opposition is also being suppressed," he added.

Earlier this week, Nitish Kumar found himself at the receiving end of criticism from the opposition after dubbed BJP MLAs opposing the liquor ban policy as drunkards and partners of those in the hooch business. His “jo piyega, wo marega” remark is also widely seen as insensitive to the families.

BJP’s barrage against the Nitish Kumar government hooch deaths in dry Bihar invited a counter-attack from deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who claimed states governed by the saffron party had been reporting more casualties from drinking spurious liquor.