Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish, who has been facing flak for blaming the hooch tragedy victims and denying compensation, has no change of heart as he reiterated ‘piyoge to maroge’ (if you drink, you will die) remark. As many as 70 people have lost their lives to Bihar’s worst hooch tragedy since the state banned sale and consumption of liquor over six years ago.
Nitish Kumar repeated his “piyoge to maroge” remark and also rejected demands for compensation to the families of the victims. “Piyoge toh maroge hi, compensation kaisa,” he said.
On December 15, the Bihar CM had made the same remark, sparking massive outrage and inviting widespread criticism. “Even when there was no liquor ban here, people died due to spurious liquor -even in other states. People should be alert. As there is a liquor ban here, something spurious will be sold due to which people die. Liquor is bad and shouldn’t be consumed,” Nitish Kumar had said.
Nitish Kumar denies compensation
Reacting to the demand of compensation said, “Last time, when people died due to spurious liquor, someone said they should be compensated. If someone consumes liquor, they will die – example is before us. This should be condoled, those places should be visited and people be explained.”
“The liquor ban has benefitted several people. A large number of people have given up alcohol…This is good. Several people have happily accepted this. But there are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Bihar’s Chhapra due to the consumption of spurious liquor increased to 70. The incident was initially reported on Wednesday.
