The spate incidents involving attacks on the poor in name of liquor ban continue in Bihar resulting in widespread anguish among people. Recently in Barhara, in Bhojpur district, a man named Chhenna Tantva was killed after beating brutally beaten up by the police. Strongly condemning the incident, CPI (ML)’s Bihar state secretary Com. Kunal said the administration has found an excuse in the name of prohibition to attack and oppress the poor regularly. The people ae getting really angry and are beginning to express the anger. On 8 March, a CPI (ML) team comprising of CPI (ML) MLA Com. Sudama Prasad, youth leader Com. Raju Yadav, AIPWA’s Bhojpur district secretary Com. Indu, incharge of Barhara Mandal, Com. Nand ji and local leader of the region Com. Lalan Yadav went to the place of the incident to gain information regarding the incident.
The team said that on 4 March a complaint was registered by Chhenna Tantva’s daughter that her father used to indulge in beating after drinking. The police went to their house and arrested him and brought him to the police station while beating him. When Chhena’s mother reached the station to meet him, the police made her run away. Chhenna was brutally beaten inside the police station after which he was taken to the police station and declared dead by the doctors. The brutality of the police enraged people and they protested outside the thana with the body of the deceased.
Following the protest, the administration did not do any enquiry but instead made 50 nameless people accused. On 6 March, the police beat up innocent villagers including women and also misbehaved with them. The fact finding team found that they also arrested those were to appear for the matric exams.
CPI (ML) leaders said that the Nitish government is oppressing and exploiting the poor in the name of prohibition. Today in entire Bihar the illegal business of alcohol is flourishing with state protection. The liquor mafia is making huge profits and it is the poor who are having to suffer because of it. The inhuman treatment being meted out to them is absolutely condemnable.
The team demanded a judicial investigation into the entire matter and that immediate action be taken against the guilty police officials. They also demanded immediate release of all the innocent villagers arrested, a compensation of 10 lakh for the family of Chhenna Tantva and also a government employment for one of his family members. They called for a dharna on 10 March in front of the district officials to stop this attack on the poor in the name of liquor ban.
