Patna: A team of Bihar’s excise department was attacked while conducting a raid against illegal liquor sales in Supaul district, leaving a woman police officer seriously injured and prompting the arrest of seven people, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Ward No 11 of the Sripur panchayat under the Pratapganj police station area. The team had gone to raid the house of Joginder Sardar after receiving information that liquor was being sold from his premises. He had earlier been jailed in similar cases, police said.
According to officials, the excise team, comprising three officers and nine constables in three to four vehicles, reached the spot around 7:30 pm. Soon after their arrival, a group of alleged liquor traders and supporting villagers attacked them with sticks, bricks, and stones.
Assistant sub-inspector Anjali Kumari sustained serious injuries to her head and face after being hit by stones. The police vehicle was also damaged, with its windows smashed during the attack.
Excise inspector Sanjay Singh informed senior officials and managed to rescue the injured officer from the crowd. She was immediately taken to Simrahi for medical treatment.
Within hours of the incident, a joint police operation led by Virpur sub-divisional police officer Surendra Kumar was launched. Teams from several police stations raided the area and arrested seven of the identified attackers. Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend others involved.
Officials said the attack highlighted the risks faced by enforcement teams implementing Bihar’s prohibition law, which bans the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the state.
The incident has also revived memories of a similar attack a few months ago in Tekuna panchayat, where villagers had assaulted a police team during a raid, injuring several officers, including the then station house officer.
Police said strict action would be taken against those who obstruct government officials in the discharge of their duties and that raids against illegal liquor networks would continue with greater force.
