Village fined for breaking alcohol ban

An entire village has been fined after bottles of alcohol were discovered by Indian authorities following the introduction of a controversial prohibition law in India’s northern Bihar province.

All 50 households in Kailashpuri are being held responsible for the discovery of liquor bottles in their village, with magistrates imposing a collective fine of 5,000 rupees (£58), according to a report by Sky News.  

It is believed to be the first case of collective punishment since a strict alcohol prohibition law came into force in the North Indian state in April.

Under the new law, if someone dies from drinking hooch – often homemade – the manufacturers, suppliers and sellers can be sentenced to death.

The law also makes every family member, including children, responsible for the consumption and possession of alcohol in a house. The law presumes that all residents must be aware of the offence, until proven otherwise.

In some cases, drinking at home can carry a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, while drinking in public places, illegal trade and transport of alcohol could result in a five to 10-year jail term and a fine of up to £10,000.

Toddy, a fermented extract of the sugar palm, is still permitted under the law and can be sold with some restrictions.

The provisions mean that people are far more likely to report offenders, even family members, to the authorities, with a freephone number set up for neighbours to report potential offenders.

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Only addicts, who can get alcohol under a doctor’s prescription, and Army cantonments are exempt from the law.

The ban was a key election pledge during Nitish Kumar’s campaign for re-election as chief minister of the state in 2015.

“I reaffirmed to myself that there is no going back, whatever may be the consequence”, Kumar said in a statement. “Experiencing the socioeconomic benefits and outcomes, I am more than determined to implement total liquor prohibition in Bihar in true letter and spirit.

“For every word that has been written against the liquor ban in the last few months, there are numerous real families – women and children – who have cheered for prohibition in Bihar and rest of India.”