Five policemen were killed and four others injured late on Sunday night when a truck, allegedly loaded with illegal liquor bottles, hit them and sped away in Muzaffarpurt district of Bihar.
The incident happened when a police team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Murari Prasad, was on a search operation at Akuraha Dhala, under the Panapur police outpost.
“Five police officials died on the spot after a speeding container truck hit them and four others, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Murari Prasad and Panapur outpost incharge Dhurvanath Jha were injured”, said Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of police Vivek Kumar.
The condition of the injured in a local hospital at Bairiya in Muzaffarpur was stated to be critical.
On a tip-off that a big consignment of illegal liquor was to cross the Akuraha Dhal under Panapur, the policemen, part of a search team, were making a vehicular check.
“A speeding container truck was seen coming and when the policemen signalled it to stop, its driver increased the speed, mowed them down and sped away”, said a police official.
The injured were taken to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital but five of them declared brought dead. Other four injured were later admitted to a private hospital.
In dry Bihar, illegal liquor trade has become a thriving business. Lakhs of liters of the brew were seized in the State since April 2016 and over 60,000 people arrested.
In April last year, the government effected a stringent prohibition law.
Everyday illegal liquor bottles are being seized even in the state capital, Patna.
“In dry Bihar, it has given a new employment for the criminals and youths to funnel liquor bottles from the neighboring States…policemen too have got an easier and thriving way to earn money…it has become a two-way business in the Sate”, a young businessman of Patna told The Hindu .
Leaving law and order problems aside, policemen these days appeared more concerned and alert over any information regarding illegal liquor supply, he noted.
Many policemen have been suspended for not taking action against illegal liquor mafias.
