Gopalganj: The liquor mafia in Bihar has once again shown its strength. A Home Guard jawan, Abhishek Kumar Pathak, was killed and another officer injured when smugglers attacked an excise team in Gopalganj. The incident happened near Sipaaya Engineering College under Vishambarpur police station early on Saturday morning.
Officials said the excise department had received information around 4.30am about a big liquor consignment coming from Uttar Pradesh. A team left from the Balthari checkpost to stop it. When the officers tried to chase the smugglers’ vehicle near the college, the smugglers attacked them. Pathak received a serious head injury and fell unconscious. He was taken to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The death has shocked his family and colleagues. His fellow officers said they were deeply hurt by the loss. Gopalganj SP Awadhesh Dixit said strict action would be taken against those responsible. Police teams have started a search to arrest the attackers.
Liquor has been banned in Bihar since 2016, but smuggling and illegal trade continue. Saturday’s incident has once again raised questions about how strong the liquor mafia has become in the state and the risks faced by officers who try to stop them.
