Bihar Liquor Smugglers Murdered Amidst Trade Rivalry

In Samastipur, Bihar, three individuals allegedly involved in liquor smuggling have been murdered in separate incidents over the past four days. The Darbhanga range DIG, Manoj Tiwari, has consequently directed district police officials to escalate their operations against liquor smugglers and their established networks. All three victims were reportedly connected to the illegal liquor trade, and the accused named in the murder cases are also believed to be participants in this illicit business. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend those who are still at large.

The first incident on the night of July 7 saw notorious smuggler Prabhat Choudhary and his associate Sunny Kumar shot dead after being lured to Nampur Dariyapar village. Prabhat had a significant criminal history, with eleven cases including kidnapping, murder, and liquor smuggling. An FIR has been lodged against Akhilesh Rai, who also faces multiple liquor smuggling cases. Police suspect a double murder stemming from rivalry within the liquor trade or a monetary dispute.

Another murder occurred on the night of July 8, when Ishant Kumar, also known as Chhotu, was allegedly kidnapped and killed in Bangraha village before being buried in a field. The body was recovered from a field reportedly owned by Nand Kumar Singh, who has a liquor smuggling case against him. Police believe Chhotu, who previously smuggled liquor with Anandi, was murdered as part of a conspiracy due to a dispute, with rivalry in the illegal liquor trade being a common factor across both incidents.