Phurpa Lhamo | Wangdue

Wangdue police arrested three individuals for feeding six-year-old and four-year-old boys alcohol in Kuenzangling village, Nyisho gewog, Wangdue.

The incident occurred on February 7, and was reported around 7:20pm to the police.

According to the boy’s cousin, Phub Wangdi, the two boys had visited a nearby shop when two men and their female friend forced the boys to drink Rock Bee (brandy).

They, reportedly, bought snacks for the children and told them that whoever can drink the most would be given cash reward.

Phub Wangdi added that ambulance was also a called at site to examine the children. “The elder boy was almost unconscious. The younger one had been shouting in the village.”

The family of the boys knew the suspects and were neighbours.

The three suspects, 34-year-old and 25-year-old men, and 29-year-old female, were detained the same night.

According to the child care and protection act of Bhutan, 2011, serving alcohol beverages to a child is an offence graded as petty misdemeanor.

For the convicted defendant, a person can be imprisoned for a maximum term of less than one year and a minimum term of one month.