Madhepura, October 2026 : In an effort to curb substance abuse and the illegal sale of intoxicants, residents of Sahugarh panchayat in Bihar’s Madhepura district have resolved to impose a social penalty of Rs 25,000 on anyone found consuming or selling intoxicating substances. The villagers have also pledged to cooperate with police investigations and refrain from helping family members secure bail in drug-related cases.
The resolutions were adopted at a meeting held on October 17 on the premises of a local school in Sahugarh panchayat, which falls under Madhepura Sadar block. The meeting was chaired by panchayat head Mukesh Kumar and attended by elected representatives, former panchayat heads, BJP Madhepura district president Deepak Kumar and a large number of residents.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over substance abuse and drug trafficking across Bihar’s Kosi region, comprising Madhepura, Saharsa and Supaul districts. Residents said that discussions alone would not resolve the problem and called for collective community action to prevent the spread of intoxicants.
Under the village resolution, anyone found violating the anti-drug pledge would face a social penalty of Rs 25,000. The matter would also be reported to the authorities for appropriate action under the law.
Deepak Kumar said the villagers had unanimously resolved to prevent the consumption and sale of all forms of intoxicating substances within the panchayat.
Participants signed a written undertaking, known as a Sankalp Patra, committing themselves to the campaign. According to reports, the document was signed by panchayat representatives and hundreds of villagers.
Santosh Rai, one of the participants, said that merely discussing the drug problem would not produce results and stressed the need for the entire village to unite against the menace.
Panchayat head Mukesh Kumar said the responsibility of making Sahugarh free of intoxicants rested with every resident rather than any single individual. He called for sustained public participation to ensure that the initiative achieved its objective.
The villagers hope that the proposed penalty, community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies will discourage both consumers and sellers from engaging in drug-related activities.
However, the legal enforceability of the proposed social fine and the pledge discouraging families from arranging bail remains unclear. Bail is governed by applicable law and judicial procedures, and a community resolution cannot override the legal rights of accused persons or the authority of courts.
Police Intensify Anti-Drug Drive Across Kosi Region
Meanwhile, Kumar Ashish, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Kosi range, has stepped up action against drug trafficking and substance abuse under the Nasha Mukt Kosi Abhiyan (Drug-Free Kosi Campaign).
The campaign covers Madhepura, Saharsa and Supaul districts and seeks to strengthen public participation in identifying drug trafficking networks and the illegal liquor trade, alongside coordinated police enforcement.
According to a report published on October 10, police seized more than 1,275 litres of illicit liquor, around 283 kg of ganja, 187.66 grams of smack, illegal cough syrup and intoxicating injections during a crackdown conducted between October 3 and 9. A total of 105 people were arrested during the week-long operation.
The campaign aims to combine enforcement measures with community cooperation to tackle the supply and consumption of prohibited substances across the region.
Sahugarh’s resolution reflects a growing effort by local communities to supplement police action with social awareness and collective responsibility. Its effectiveness will depend on sustained public participation, lawful enforcement and efforts to address the factors contributing to substance abuse.
