At least 10 dead in India from drinking tainted liquor

PATNA, India – A government official says at least 10 people have died after drinking bootleg liquor in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

District magistrate Rahul Kumar said Wednesday that five others were being treated for poisoning in a hospital in the Gopalganj district of the state.

Deaths from drinking illegally brewed alcohol are common in India because the poor cannot afford licensed liquor. Illicit liquor is often spiked with chemicals such as pesticides to increase its potency.

The Bihar government banned the sale and production of all forms of liquor in the state in April in an effort to curb alcoholism.

The state has very strict laws, and 11, 000 people have been arrested in a crackdown against those making, storing or consuming liquor.