Liquor mafia links alleged in East Champaran hooch deaths

Motihari: The issue of deaths due to hooch has remained a subject of debate in East Champaran district.In 2023, 45 people died after consuming spurious liquor in the Turkauliya, Harsidhi, Paharpur, Raghunathpur and Sugauli police station areas in the district. The incident made headlines across the country.Following an investigation, the district police identified Gabbar Yadav of Harsidhi as the main accused. Police announced a reward of Rs20,000 on his head and Gabbar later surrendered in court. At that time, he was allegedly running the illegal business in the western part of the district along the banks of the Gandak river and in cane fields. According to police, Gabbar came out of jail only in the last week. In the present case too, villagers suspect Gabbar’s involvement.A team of policemen tried to conduct a raid at his house on Thursday, but the policemen were chased away by supporters of Gabbar. He has not been arrested yet.