BHOPAL: The role of police in Morena liquor tragedy is has come under a cloud. As the role of the police been suspicious, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan removed the superintendent of police and suspended sub-divisional officer of police and a few other cops on Wednesday. The police have papered over the evidence connected with the incident.
Forty-one people were admitted to a hospital after consuming spurious liquor, but the police provided information only about 21. Besides, three people died in their homes, but the police tried to sweep the incident under the carpet. Some of the guzzlers are yet to be traced. These people tossed off at night and slept in their farmlands but did not wake up in the morning.
The police, however, did not give any information about these people to the administration. The number of deaths may increase because of the police’s negligence. According to reports, the police are hand in glove with the liquor manufacturers and tried to shield the culprits. After receiving the information about deaths, Inspector General of Police Manoj Sharma said facts about the incident had not been confirmed.
Excise policy responsible for such incidents
The state government’s excise policy has been the reason for such incidents. Instead of allotting the liquor shops, the administration has auctioned those wine outlets according to districts. As the liquor barons have received the contracts in big districts, they have monopolised the business. They have also increased the rates of liquor. It is because of the higher rates of liquor that, the illicit liquor manufacturers have become active in districts, and are selling it at cheaper rates.
After Ratlam and Ujjain, many people have lost their lives consuming spurious liquor in Morena. Illicit liquor is being manufactured in many other districts, too. Such liquor contains those elements that pose hazard to public health. As the contractors are ruling the roost, the district administration has failed to stop the sale of liquor on higher prices.
In a few districts, some administrative and excise officers are hand in glove with the mafia who make illicit liquor. This is also one of the reasons for such tragedies.
Swept under the carpet
Forty-one people admitted to a hospital after consuming spurious liquor, but the police provided information only about 21.
Three people died in their homes, but the police tried to sweep the incident under the carpet.
