Liquor Bottles Crushed, Last Minute Discounts Before Bihar Ban

Patna: Late on Thursday night in parts of Bihar, little crowds formed outside liquor shops for the last time as big discounts and 'buy-one-get-one-free' deals were on offer.

When the clock struck 12, the shops were firmly bolted as partial prohibition came into force in Bihar.

From today, home-made liquor, mostly sold in villages and small towns, is banned. In bigger cities like Patna and Gaya, alcohol will be available but only at government-run outlets.

Phase 2 of prohibition - when alcohol is completely banned - is meant to be introduced just six months later.

Thousands of liquor bottles have been crushed under tractors after being seized from private shops and warehouses.

"We have destroyed 13.50 lakh bottles of country made liquor....worth Rs 3 crore...Shops are being sealed by the magistrates appointed for the purpose," said Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal.

A prohibition police control room will function 24/7 in four shifts, say the police.
 The happiest in the state are women like Nawada resident Sangeeta Devi. Government officials came and sealed the shop in her village last night.

"The government should also rehabilitate those who used to make a living off country liquor.  The other challenge will be to stop smuggling of liquor from other states. If he can manage that, he has my full support," said a beaming Sangeeta, confessing that her husband is a heavy drinker who now says he will try to kick the habit.

Prohibition was a promise that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made while campaigning last year for re-election. The promise, made to a women at his village who had complained about the proliferation of liquor shops and their husbands' drinking, was among the first to crystalize after Mr Kumar came to power.

On Wednesday, on the Chief Minister's appeal that charity begins at home, 243 state legislators formally declared their intent to "stay away from alcohol" and work to impose prohibition.

The assembly has also passed a new law that prescribes the death penalty for those found making or selling home-made liquor that kills consumers. If someone is left seriously sick, a life sentence could apply for those who made or traded the toxic alcohol.