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Rats blamed for disappearance of seized booze
Police in the eastern Indian state of Bihar have said that rats have consumed thousands of litres of impounded alcohol
The state of Bihar, in eastern India, imposed a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in April last year. However, it appears the local rodent population is running riot.
The New Indian Express reported that, during a meeting of police inspectors in the Patna district, senior superintendent Manu Maharaaj was informed that rats had consumed over half of the seized booze. Patna is not alone, unnamed sources have revealed other districts are also battling law-breaking, liquor-loving rats.
According to police, the rodents have gnawed off the bottle caps and then helped themselves to the contents.
Since the alcohol ban, over 40,000 people have been arrested and jailed and around 915,000 litres of alcohol has been confiscated.
Senior superintendent Maharaaj commented: “After learning of the scenario, I ordered random breathalyser tests of police personnel at the police stations. If found drunk, they would face prosecution and may lose their jobs.”
Senior police and excise officials are looking into the matter, and based on their findings, S. K Singhal, director general of police, confirmed that “the state police headquarters will initiate further action.”
This follows news that two Bihar police officers were arrested after being found drunk.
Senior superintendent Maharaaj said: “I was informed that there was a drinking session and some trouble at the police lines. Upon visiting the site, I found these two officials drunk. They were arrested as per the law.”