Mangal Raj and rule of law in Bihar: Nitish

Amid Opposition’s claim that ‘Jungle Raj’ has returned in Bihar in view of alleged spurt in crime in the recent past, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today used latest crime figures to assert there is ‘Mangal Raj’ and ‘rule of law’ in the state.

“People say there is Jungle Raj in Bihar. But, there is Mangal Raj and rule of law in Bihar. Action is being taken in all cases of murders. Guilty, whoever he or she may be, will not be spared at any cost,” Kumar said while addressing a programme on prohibition organised by members of Jeevika society at the Polo Ground at Munger.

Citing latest crime figures compiled upto May 23, Kumar tried to blunt opposition claims of rise in crime graph saying the crime rate has gone down following imposition of total prohibition in the state.

“Bihar has witnessed a decline in various types of crimes following the imposition of prohibition. There is a decline of 39 per cent in murder cases, while incidents of dacoity has dropped by 54 per cent, loot by 25 per cent and ransom by 71 per cent,” Kumar said.

“The cases of atrocities against women have dropped by 28 per cent, while road accidents have gone down by 31 per cent and the numbers of total cognisable offence have decreased to 20 per cent,” he said.

Talking about campaigning against liquor, Kumar said the issue of prohibition, which has gained momentum in different parts of the country, would bring another social change and add another chapter in history.

In Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa has started taking steps to implement prohibition in her state, he said adding various women’s groups of Rajasthan and Dhanbad have launched movement against liquor.

People in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra too have started raising their voice against liquor, while women of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra have successfully implemented prohibition in their district, the CM said.

It would be true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the 100^th year of Champaran movement if prohibition was implemented successfully, which is mandated by Article 47 of the Constitution, Kumar said.

To give further push to women empowerment and to make Self Help Groups (SHG) self-dependent, the state government has decided to implement various schemes with the help of Jeevika, Chief Minister said adding at present there were five lakh SHGs, the number of which would increase to ten lakh by the end of 2017, associating 1.5 crore women.