Lalu Yadav stands firm with Nitish Kumar on liquor ban policy

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday expressed his support for the current Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's move of taking action against the police officials failing to enforce the liquor ban in state.

When asked about the statement of a cop, who was willing to give up his post in the backdrop of liquor ban he said, "New people will be recruited. Liquor has been banned, we will stick to it. It is their duty they should look after it. Arrest them, take them in custody, why will anyone drink this poison?"

The RJD leader's statement came after CM's remarks in response to the Bihar Police Association (BPA) that had protested against suspension of 11 SHOs last week and issued an ultimatum to the Bihar Police headquarters to withdraw the suspension of the SHOs and threatened to launch an agitation.

The 11 SHOs were suspended after it was found that they failed to check and control manufacture of banned liquor in their jurisdiction.

The Bihar Excise law, passed by the state assembly earlier this month, includes provisions like punishing the entire family of an adult found drinking and severe penalties for policemen found lax in enforcing prohibition.