Five persons died while 28 others were taken ill due to suspected poisoning after consuming liquor on Monday night in the Tihidi area of the district.
The deceased were identified as Sukanta Barik, Sadhucharan Nayak, Sarbeswar Das, and Ramchandra Padiari of Doulatapur and Nimaisahi area under the Dihida police station.
According to sources, a group of villagers consumed liquor near Pira Hata area and later several of them fell ill. While one of them reportedly died in the village, two others died while undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital.
While 15 others have been admitted to DHH, three critically ill were shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack.
“It is yet to be clear whether the deceased and other critical patients consumed spurious liquor. Probe has been initiated at the administrative level to ascertain the exact cause of the liquor deaths.” Bhadrak Collector Gyana Das said after taking stock of the situation at DHH.
Meanwhile, following the incident, locals and family members staged a protest on the Bhadrak-Chandbali road.
Sources said the district administration had ordered closure of all liquor shops in the district a day ago, but hours after the directive, the liquor deaths have now raised questions.
Speaking on the liquor deaths, Excise Department Secretary Nikunja Dhal, said, “A joint investigation would be conducted by Revenue and Health Departments and police d. As the incident took place on polling day, we are taking the matter seriously.”