70 Indians arrested in Nepal over consuming alcohol, says police

KATHMANDU: Around 70 Indian nationals, all hailing from Bihar, have been detained in Nepal over crossing the border to enjoy liquor in local pubs here since last month when their state banned sale and consumption of alcohol, according to police.

The Rautahat District Police Office (DPO) said it intensified crackdown on public houses in the southern Nepal district and have detained some 70 Indian nationals from pubs of neighbouring Nepali villages over the last one-and-a-half months.

The Indians began to enter Nepal to enjoy drinks as soon as their state government banned alcohol, according to police.

On Saturday, police nabbed nine Indian nationals who had arrived at a village outside the Rautahat district headquarters, Gaur, from Sitamarhi in Bihar.

The DPO said all 70 Indians were later released after they signed an undertaking that they would not enter Nepal again for consuming alcohol.

Each of them was also fined Rs 1,000, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Nabil Krishna Bhandari.

Besides, two pub operators from Gaur were detained over charges that their business promoted untoward activities.

On April 5, Bihar was declared a dry state as the state government imposed a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol including India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) with immediate effect.

According to the decision, no alcohol can be legally consumed in all of Bihar, including bars and restaurants.