Retired soldiers march to Raj Bhawan, seek exemption on liquor ban
Patna,(BiharTimes): Ex-servicemen of Bihar have sought exemption from the total ban on liquor so that they could collect their quota of alcohol from cantonments.
Claiming that wine has become “medicine” for them since serving in defence services hundreds of former soldiers gathered from all over Bihar at Hathikhana Mor in Danapur on Friday and marched towards Raj Bhawan to submit a petition to Governor Ramnath Kovind in this regard.
However, they were stopped at Rajvanshi Nagar roundabout, where they submitted a memorandum addressed to Governor to a magistrate on duty there.
The president of Bihar State Ex-servicemen League N K Singh told newsmen that the retired defence personnel are upset over denialof alcohol to them. The ban is taking a toll on their health as liquor has become medicine for them while serving in defence force for long.
He further said the Army Act provides them alloted quota of alcohol daily. This is followed even in states where alcohol is banned.
According to Singh more than 1300 retired and even serving defence personnel have been arrested in Bihar for carrying liquor bottles ever since the ban has been imposed on April 5.
