Excise and Railway Police Clash in Bihar Over Liquor Raid at Katihar Station
A violent confrontation unfolded at Katihar railway station in Bihar on Friday, pitting officials from the Excise & Prohibition Department against personnel of the Government Railway Police (GRP). The clash occurred during a raid targeting an alleged liquor consignment, leaving a constable injured and sparking a dispute over the circumstances.
Incident Details and Conflicting Narratives
The incident took place when the prohibition team arrived at the station to intercept liquor reportedly being transported via the Hate Bazare Express from Bengal. In dry Bihar, where a complete ban on liquor has been enforced since 2016, such operations are routine. However, this raid escalated into a physical altercation.
Excise Department Allegations: Excise official Ravi Kishore Prasad claimed that GRP personnel obstructed their operations and resorted to physical assault. He stated, "Based on secret information, we had reached there to conduct a raid. However, GRP personnel misbehaved with our officers and physically assaulted us." Constable Dev Shankar Jha, who sustained injuries and was hospitalized, echoed this, saying, "We had gone to nab liquor smugglers, but were instead assaulted by uniformed personnel."
Railway Authorities' Version: In contrast, Railway DSP Arun Kumar Akela described the event as a "minor scuffle" due to a misunderstanding. He explained that the prohibition officers were in plain clothes without prior notification, leading GRP personnel to question their credentials. "There are instances when notorious elements pose as police officers to conduct fake raids. It is difficult to tell the truth from lies in such cases," Akela noted, adding that the matter was settled once an identity card was shown.
Background and Ongoing Investigations
This clash highlights tensions in Bihar's prohibition enforcement. Kishore mentioned that combined raids with the Railway Police Force are common, with 61 litres of liquor seized from the same train just a day earlier. However, he alleged that GRP personnel warned against future raids without permission, threatening jail time.
Both sides are now conducting detailed inquiries to determine any lapses. Akela emphasized, "A clear picture will emerge only after a comprehensive investigation. If any fault is found, legal action will be taken against the officers concerned." Senior officers are involved to prevent recurrences of such misunderstandings.
The Bihar liquor ban, implemented in 2016, prohibits all activities related to liquor and intoxicants, making enforcement a critical yet challenging task for authorities. This incident underscores the complexities and occasional conflicts that arise in its execution.
