With the report on Barabanki hooch tragedy that claimed 24 lives yet to be submitted, the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday warned all district magistrates and district police chiefs that stern action would be taken if any such tragedy was reported from anywhere in Uttar Pradesh.

According to an official communiqué released on Thursday, Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey has directed all district magistrates and district police chiefs to launch a month-long drive to check sale of spurious liquor in the state.

Pandey has asked the district officials to take stern action against the mafia involved in supply of spurious liquor in the state, particularly through licensed shops.

He warned that if any Barabanki-like incident was reported, the district magistrates and district police chiefs would be held responsible and stern action would be taken against them.

Pandey said that he would review the action taken in this matter on the first Monday of every month besides reviewing the law and order situation and status of development and welfare works.

Meanwhile, even as the report of three-member committee formed by the Chief Minister to look into reasons of Barabanki tragedy and to identify the culprits is still awaited, three people died and five others were taken ill in another hooch tragedy reported from Sitapur.

Superintendent of Police of Sitapur, LR Kumar, said the deaths were reported from Paiteypur and Saidpur villages on Wednesday night.

One person identified as Kanhaiya Kumar has been arrested and investigations are on to establish from where the liquor was sourced, the SP said.

Those who lost their lives were identified as Vijay, 30, Sumerilal, 40, and Vinod, 30. Of the five taken ill, four are in critical condition and have been referred to the KGMU Trauma Centre in Lucknow.

In the Barabanki tragedy, the death-toll mounted to 24 while several others have either lost their sight or are fighting for their lives.