Two persons died, two others lost their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor in Muzaffarpur district, the capital city of Bihar in India.

The incident occurred in the Qazi Mohammadpur police station area in Muzaffarpur district, about 72 km north of Patna. Those who died have been identified as Umesh Sah and Pappu Ram.

Police said, “We have received information about two deaths at Pokharia Pir locality. The family members of the deceased said three days back these people returned home drunk, following which they were taken ill and subsequently succumbed to their illness during treatment.

“Two other people of the same locality are reported to have lost eyesight following the consumption of the liquor.”

Police Awadhesh Dixit told PTI. “Dharmendra Ram told the police that they had purchased liquor from Shivchandra Paswan, whose family is involved in the illegal trade.”

The police said that while Paswan is absconding, his wife and daughter have been taken into custody.

“The number of affected people could increase further as police and district administration have launched door-to-door searches in the area to find people who have fallen ill after consuming spurious liquor”.

The sale and consumption of liquor were banned  in Bihar state in 2016 after women’s groups campaigned against poor workers squandering their meagre earnings on alcohol consumption.

Despite the prohibition, deaths in the state caused by the consumption of illicit alcohol are reported often.