Saying that law is supreme and nobody is above law, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sternly asked the cops, who threatened to relinquish police station duty, to better resign and go. “If they have no regard for the duty they better quit the job. We don’t need them,” he said while addressing the newly elected panchayat representatives here on Saturday.
Following the suspension of 11 Stations House Officers (SHO) in failing to check bootlegging in their respective jurisdictions, the policemen mainly inspector and sub-inspectors expressed their desire to be taken off the police station duty. The Government has entrusted the policemen for strict implementation of the total prohibition and warned them of severe action if the liquor brewing was reported fro their areas. The Bihar Police Association had also threatened of direct action if suspension was not withdrawn.
“Some people are cutting jokes of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill. There are attempts to spread misinformation about the laws and trying to frighten people saying it can be misused. Will anybody tell me which law in the world since the time immemorial not misusedIJ But in this Bill we have prescribed stringent punishment for those misusing the law, be it policemen or excise officials,” said Nitish while asking his critics to suggest ideas to make the law more effective instead of only criticism.
The CM said he was not ready to be cowed down by the opponents, who he alleged opposed all his moves in past too, and go ahead with the total prohibition. He told the panchayat representatives that after the prohibition the atmosphere in the countryside has changed, peace was prevailing and there were no reports of social tussle and turmoil and no family fights. “For the bigger social causes one should be ready to face opposition but it does not mean that the noble work be abandoned,” he added.