Bihar govt, opposition spar over NHRC report on hooch deaths

• “We demand a reply from the government, which stands accused of concealing true figures," BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh said
• BJP leaders had claimed that the number of people who died after consuming spurious liquor in Saran was "more than 100"
• The hooch tragedy, the biggest in the history of the state since it went dry seven years ago, took place in December last year

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed on Friday with reports that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had blamed the administration for last year's hooch tragedy in Saran district that claimed nearly 40 lives.

According to reports, the NHRC, which took cognizance of the deaths due to the consumption of fake alcohol in a dry state, concluded that the total number of people who died exceeded 70, much more. than the officially confirmed 38 victims. "In view of the media reports, I have raised the matter in the House," BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh told outside the Legislative Council.

“We demand an answer from the government, which is accused of concealing the real numbers. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was said to have accused the administration of forcing the bereaved family members to go for cremation without reporting the death,” he said.

However, when asked about the same, Ashok Choudhary, a key minister in Bihar who is also a member of the Legislative Council, said, "I am not aware of any such NHRC report". The Hooch tragedy, the biggest in the state's history since the drought seven years ago, happened in December last year.

“Even if there is such a report, I would like to know from what source the NHRC has gathered its information. That the administration tried to downplay the death toll doesn't hold up.

“We have a policy in place where family members of those who die of unnatural causes are given ex gratia. The amount is transferred directly to bank accounts. We would like to know whether the NHRC has reached its conclusion based on hearsay,” Choudhary said.

BJP leaders claimed that the number of people who died after consuming spurious liquor in Saran was "more than 100", although the state government put the final death toll at 38.