When the “draconian” provisions were made in the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, enforced in the State since October 2, there had been strong suspicions that no woman of the family would dare to complain against the men folk if they were spotted consuming liquor. The critics of the law and Opposition parties are still sticking to their view point that detention of all the adult family members of a family for the crime committed by a male member was draconian.
But Rinki Devi of Gaya and Pramila Devi of Barh (Patna) are exceptions. They complained to the police against their in-laws and husband and got them arrested.
Gaya’s Rinki, who is Tola Sevak of Khatkachak, was fed up with the illicit brewery by her father-in-law and brother-in-law. After her failure to stop them from the illegal practice of brewing liquor in clandestine manner and following threats to her life, she finally filed an FIR against them. Her brother-in-law even threatened of her dire consequences and said he would cut her into pieces. But Rinki, who got support from her husband Sanjay Choudhary and now lives with her parents remained unmoved. “Social values are above the family,” she said.
“I was totally fed up. I continued objecting to their practice after the total prohibition in Bihar but they refused to listen and even threatened me. But I got inspiration and courage following the call of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for total prohibition and in bid to fulfill my responsibilities as Tola Sevak I decided to act. After all it is my duty to make prohibition a success,” said Rinki, a mother of two minor children.
To encourage the lady education deputy director Ghalib Khan went to meet her. He said he has recommended to the director and for facilitation of Rinki by the CM. Gaya DM Kumar Ravi said he would recommend for a reward of Rs 1 lakh to her. Pramila Devi of Saichak village in Barh got furious when her inebriated husband started beating her over trivial issue. She approached the police and registered complaint. The police arrested Rambalak Das and took him to sub-divisional hospital for medical check up. But the moment police reached Barh police station with Das, he pushed aside chowkidar and ran away. Some cops chased him but he managed to escape.
The incident created flutter in the police force and a number of policemen were deplo9yed to catch Das. After a chase and search of five hours he was eventually arrested and brought to the police station. Das, a cobbler, told the policemen that he used to polish shoes in railway compartments and went to Jharkhand where he consumed liquor. On his return he had a brawl with the wife and finally landed in lock up. Pramila Devi however lamented how she would mange the home after the arrest of the lone bread earner.