The death toll in the Etah district’s hooch tragedy touched 23 on Sunday after four more persons succumbed at the hospital in the morning. However, sources claimed that the death toll had crossed 24 as six more deaths have been reported from Saifai Medical University where 36 people are undergoing treatment.
In Etah, the tragedy struck the Johari Darwaza area in Aliganj when locals consumed liquor at a late night get together on July 15. District Magistrate Ajay Yadav told that 21 people have lost their lives in the hooch. He said of the 24 people admitted to the hospital, condition of six were stated to be critical.
Police said that more than 100 people had fallen ill after consuming the spurious liquor and around six people suffered eyesight loss due to the reaction after consuming the liquor on Friday night.
On the other hand, two persons identified as Sobran (55) and Suresh (40), both of Cholara village of Kayamganj police station area of Farukkhabad died of consuming hooch on Sunday. The victims had gone to luhari Darwaza locality under Aliganj police station area on Saturday, where they consumed the hooch and had returned to their village in Farukkhabad district. The Kayamganj police have registered a case in this connection
The administration referred eight people to the hospitals in Agra and Farrukhabad on Sunday morning. On the other hand, cracking a whip against the hooch sellers, the Aliganj police arrested the main accused Sripal lodh from Nayagaon area late in the night on Saturday.
Meanwhile, on the directive of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, around 12 officials of the excise and police have been suspended so far. These officials included three from the Excise department and a Circle Officer, Aliganj Asharam Ahirwar and a Station Officer, Aliganj police station other policemen. A magistrate probe has also been ordered in the incident.
District Excise Officer of Etah, Excise Inspector and a constable were suspended for dereliction of duty. Joint and Deputy Excise Commissioners visited the site of the tragedy in Etah while District Magistrate, Etah has instructed the subordinates to take necessary action for ensuring relief and treatment of the survivors.
Sale of hooch is common practice in UP and more than hundred people have been died due to consumption of hooch during the past couple of years. While last year more than 50 people have died after they consumed spurious liquor in the rural belt of lucknow adjoining Hardoi and Unnao, more than 35 people have died in Hooch in Azamgarh in 2013. Also frequent reports of death due to hooch are reported in the Unnao district.