Take stern action against guilty in hooch tragedy: Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today instructed officials to take stern action against those found guilty in the hooch tragedy in Rohtas district which has claimed four lives.
Kumar issued the instructions at a review meeting held with the state's chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police, an official release said.
Four persons died after consuming spurious liquor in Rohtas district last night, following which nine police personnel were placed under suspension today.
A complete ban on sale and consumption of alcohol was imposed in Bihar April last year.
Explanations have been sought from a number of officials regarding the lapse, while the police today raided a shop owned by one of the accused and seized liquor bottles.

A political slugfest has broken out over the Rohtas hooch tragedy with opposition RJD today charging that the prohibition in the state was "only on paper" and the ruling JD(U) claiming a drop in crime rates and improvement in the standard of living due to the liquor ban.
Meanwhile, according to another release, the chief minister met and blessed a couple from Bhojpur district who had tied the knot without giving or accepting dowry.
Kumar had, on October 2, called for a statewide campaign against dowry and child marriage.