At least six people died in two districts of Bihar on Wednesday after consuming spurious alcohol. 14 others have been admitted to the hospital.
While four people died in Siwan after allegedly consuming liquor, two more deaths were reported in Saran district. Two people have been referred to Patna for treatment even as 15 others have been sent to civil hospital for treatment.
A legal action has also been taken against Bhagwanpur SHO and Prohibition ASI of the Bhagwanpur police station, District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta said.
"Information was received around 7.30 am on Wednesday that three people died under mysterious circumstances in Maghar and Auriya panchayats. A team of officials was immediately sent to the area and 12 more people were sent to the nearest hospital for treatment but of them, one person died on the way," Mukul Kumar Gupta said.
"The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the incident can only be known after receiving the autopsy reports," he added.
The toll is expected to rise even as the administration is investigating the exact cause of deaths. The officials did not disclose the identity of the deceased and those under treatment.
However, locals maintained that the deaths were due to the consumption of spurious liquor, citing the physical condition of the victims.
In another incident, two people died and three others were admitted to the hospital after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Saran district on Wednesday.
Speaking to PTI, Saran District Magistrate Aman Samir said, "The incident took place in Ibrahimpur area under the jurisdiction of Mushrakh police station. On the basis of information received by officials pertaining to suspected hooch deaths, police reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter."
"Two people have died and three others have been hospitalised so far. The matter is being examined and bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the deaths can be known after receiving the autopsy reports," he added.
The sale and consumption of alcohol was banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016. The Bihar government recently admitted that more than 150 people have died due to consumption of illicit liquor after prohibition was imposed in the state in April 2016.