BETTIAH, April 4 -- With four more people succumbing to suspected spurious liquor, the death toll in Bihar's hooch tragedy rose to five, officials said. At least six others are undergoing treatment at a government hospital in East Champaran for symptoms like blindness, an official added. A station house officer (SHO) has also been suspended for the lapse in duty and two people were arrested. The deceased have been identified as Chandu Kumar (28) of Pulwa Ghat village and Hiralal Bhagat of Hardiya, both under Raghunathpur police station. The other deceased are Sampat Sah (40) of Balganga village, along with Pramod Yadav (30) and Parikshan Manjhi (26), residents of Shankar Sareya in Parsouna, which falls under Turkauliya police station. Harkishore Rai, deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Champaran range, said the toll in the alleged hooch tragedy stood at five and that the victims consumed spurious liquor in Turkauliya and Raghunathpur police station areas of the district. "While seven people are under treatment with two of them showing symptoms of blindness," said the deputy inspector general of police, adding that seven people have been discharged after treatment. He said that eight people, including a key supplier Naga Roy and a chowkidar Bharat Rai, have been arrested. "During the investigation, it came to light that the victims consumed the liquor after buying it from a place under Turkauliya police station. Therefore, the station house officer (SHO) of Turkauliya police station, Umashankar Manjhi has been suspended," the DIG said, adding that the police had also launched raids to trace the source of the spurious liquor. Officials said that the victims had allegedly consumed locally brewed liquor in villages under Motihari subdivision on Wednesday evening. "During the preliminary investigation, it appears that the spirit was brought in yellow-coloured cans of mobil oil. Further investigation into the matter is in progress," East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said. He said that medical teams have been deployed in the affected areas and door-to-door surveys are being conducted to identify more victims. Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter and establish the supply chain links. "Liquor mafia Kanhaiya and Raja from Piprakothi had procured the spirit and sold it to Khalifa and Sunil Shah of Parsouna. The two then supplied it further to Naga Roy and Jammu Baitha. Naga Roy distributed the liquor in the Parsouna area, while Jammu Baitha supplied it in the Balganga area. Raja, Jammu Baitha, and Naga Roy have been arrested. A large consignment of spirit has been seized and sent for chemical examination. Raids are underway to apprehend the remaining accused," said Swarn Prabhat, superintendent of police (SP), East Champaran, sharing a message through WhatsApp in a group comprising police and media representatives. Rajendra Yadav and Ashok Yadav, two victims treated at the Sadar Hospital in Motihari, said they had little idea about the consequences of consuming the liquor on Wednesday evening. "After gulping two glasses at Naga Rai's place, I started feeling uneasy, and gradually my eyesight began to fade. Now everything appears green and distant," said Rajendra Yadav. "It tasted quite acerbic, though I gulped three glasses of it," said Ashok Yadav, another victim who has since been discharged from the hospital. Meanwhile, Pradeep Yadav, brother of the deceased Pramod Yadav, was left completely shell-shocked. "My brother complained of gastric problems and irritation in his eyes. He died barely a few hours after being admitted to a private hospital in Motihari," he said. Posting on X, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said that the deaths and loss of eyesight were "extremely tragic" and underscored the "serious flaws" in the prohibition law in the state. Citing statistics to buttress his claim, Yadav said that more than 1,300 people have died due to spurious liquor in Bihar since prohibition was enforced, according to official records. "The actual number is higher than this. The objective of prohibition stands derailed in Bihar... Instead of achieving its intended objective, it has become a tool for corruption, benefiting certain political elements, officials, and liquor mafias," he said....