By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: More than eight years have passed since Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar implemented the liquor ban in 2016, aiming to make the state drug-free and crime-free. During this period, the police and the Prohibition Department have taken strict measures, resulting in thousands of arrests. However, despite the enforcement of the liquor ban, alcohol smuggling and consumption continue to persist, as evidenced by government-released figures.
According to data released by the Bihar government, a total of 12,79,387 people have been arrested under the liquor ban law over these eight years. Of these, 5,43,326 were arrested by the Prohibition Department, while 7,36,061 were apprehended by the police. Additionally, 8,43,907 cases related to the violation of the liquor ban have been registered, with 3,70,814 cases filed by the Prohibition Department and 4,73,093 cases by the police.
On average, approximately 12,794 people are arrested every month, which equates to 426 arrests daily or about 18 people per hour. While these statistics reflect the Bihar Police and Prohibition Department’s active enforcement, questions arise about how illicit liquor distribution, including home delivery, continues despite such a high number of arrests. This raises concerns about those who evade law enforcement.
The government’s data also reveals that 5 lakh 20 thousand people have been convicted in liquor-related cases so far. A total of 1,24,658 vehicles have been seized, generating ₹327 crore through auctions. Over the past six years, 3 crore 46,61,723 litres of liquor have been confiscated, with 3,38,20,256 litres destroyed by August 2024.
To further combat alcohol smuggling, 41 drones are being used, and 2,500 acres of opium cultivation have been eradicated. Additionally, 234 liquor mafias have been apprehended in the past six years. However, 266 people have tragically died from consuming illicit, poisonous liquor during the eight years of the ban, as confirmed by Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, Secretary of the Liquor Prohibition Department.
