Patna, February 25 – The opposition intensified its attack on the Bihar government on Wednesday over alleged widespread liquor smuggling, despite the state's prohibition, while also condemning the recent lathi charge on protesting Chowkidars and Dafadars in Patna.
Speaking to the media, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra alleged that prohibition "only exists on paper" and that the illegal sale of liquor, including spurious liquor, continues unchecked across the state.
He claimed that large consignments of liquor from neighboring states are entering Bihar daily, raising serious questions about the role of the administration and law enforcement agencies.
Responding to concerns earlier raised by Chirag Paswan regarding incidents involving toxic liquor, Bhai Virendra alleged that such smuggling could not take place without the involvement of officials.
"Liquor is frequently crossing state borders. It is impossible without the involvement of certain government officials," he said, further alleging that some leaders associated with the NDA were complicit in facilitating the illegal trade.
The RJD legislator also expressed concern over the rising consumption of locally brewed and spurious liquor, claiming that young people between 15 and 20 years are increasingly falling prey to addiction, thereby jeopardizing their future.
Apart from the prohibition issue, Bhai Virendra strongly condemned the recent police lathi charge on Chowkidars and Dafadars who were protesting in Patna over their demands.
Terming the action "barbaric and inhuman," he said the Grand Alliance had raised the issue prominently in the Bihar Assembly and demanded that the legitimate demands of the protesting employees be addressed.
Referring to the alleged lathi charge near a government office, he claimed that the employees were brutally beaten and that the matter was raised directly with the Chief Minister on the floor of the House.
"The lathi charge on Chowkidars and Dafadars is barbaric. Strict action must be taken against the officials who ordered and carried it out. The responsible officers should be immediately suspended," he said.
He further alleged that while the Grand Alliance raised the matter sincerely, some other parties were attempting to derive political mileage from the incident instead of focusing on justice for the affected employees.