Drop by drop, how the border between Bihar and U.P. blurs in Jawahi Diyar village

Life in Bihar's Jawahi Diyar village near Uttar Pradesh border thrives despite prohibition, with rampant liquor smuggling and consumption.

In Bihar’s Jawahi Diyar village along the border of Uttar Pradesh, life flows on an even keel. And so does liquor. While Bihar was declared a dry State in 2016, liquor flows freely in the riverine village, blurring the State borders, literally.

With the arrival of noon, the remote village in Buxar district becomes a centre of activity. At times, too much activity — something that has become difficult for villagers like 68-year-old Awadh Bihari Yadav and his sons to ignore.

While a portion of Mr. Yadav’s humble home with unplastered walls lies in Buxar district of Bihar, the rest falls in Ballia district of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. “The village youth often go across the border to get drunk and even smuggle in bottles,” says Satyendra, 30, Mr. Yadav’s youngest son, a farmer.

Not too far from their house is a liquor shop, announcing its presence with a red signboard hanging on a brick wall: ‘Composite English/Beer Wine Shop’. Bottles and cash are exchanged through a single iron-grilled window. At the bend in the road that leads to the shop is a small shack that sells snacks.

It’s around 1 p.m. on a scorching June afternoon, but there are groups of men in their 20s sitting and drinking. They occasionally disperse on their motorcycles when they see a car with Bihar registration number. The man behind the counter is quick to reassure. “Don’t worry, this liquor shop is in U.P. and there is no ban on liquor here,” he says, wishing to remain anonymous. As an afterthought, he adds, “The shop is owned by a person living in the neighbouring Ghazipur district, U.P.”

In April 2016, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar banned the sale of alcohol in Bihar. With that, buying, selling, manufacturing, and consumption of liquor became prohibited in the State. If the law is violated, the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, stipulates strict action, including a jail term.

However, hundreds of people, including police personnel have been caught for their involvement in the illicit liquor business. A month ago, 40 cartons of liquor were caught in an ambulance in Muzaffarpur district. In January, three policemen were caught for storing liquor in the Sultanganj police station in Patna. Two years ago, liquor was being sold from the Hajipur police station in Vaishali district. Liquor is smuggled from all neighbouring States, including some that don’t share borders with it, like Haryana. Nepal, with which Bihar shares an international border, is another go-to place for liquor smuggling.