MP Hooch Tragedy: 11 Dead, 35 Hospitalised; 3 Officials Suspended, Probe Ordered
At least 11 people died and 35 were hospitalised in Sagar after consuming suspected toxic liquor, prompting official suspensions and a probe.
At least 11 people, mostly aged 28 t0 50, died in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district after consuming suspected toxic liquor, officials said on Sunday.
Around three dozen people have been battling for life in the district hospital in Sagar and Bundelkhand Medical College Hospital, officials said.
The incident took place in the villages of Nauroja and Dogra under Banda police station limits.
“The incident came to light around 4.30 am on Sunday”, Sagar district collector Pratibha Pal said.
Preliminary investigation suggested that the deaths were caused due to the consumption of toxic methyl alcohol, suspected to be supplied by Uttar Pradesh-based illicit liquor manufacturing gang, officials said.
Sagar district superintendent of police Anurag Sujaniya said that the source of the spurious liquor has been found to be Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Probe is on to identify the local supply chain and the people involved in the operation, police said.
Sagar district borders Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police officer, around a dozen people have been detained for interrogation in connection with the incident.
Doctors have started screening people in these two villages to identify such cases to provide them treatment, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Golu alias Chaman Lodhi (45), Digvijay Lodhi (28), Kartar Singh Lodhi (30), Ajyar Singh Lodhi (56), Roshan Lodhi (30), Rajendra Lodhi (32), Harnam Ray (42), Uttam Nathyu Nayak (42), Sumer Singh Dangi (47), Raj Kumar Lodhi (47), and Surendra Ahirwar (35).
Three excise officials have been suspended following the incident.
The excise officials who were suspended are Kirti Dubey, Assistant Commissioner (Excise), Sagar, Dilip Khandate, Assistant District Excise Officer, and Roshni Ureti, Excise Sub-Inspector.
This apart, local Deputy Excise Commissioner Neeraj Srivastav has been transferred and shifted to Gwalior Headquarters.
Chief minister Mohan Yadav who left for four-day visit to Dubai to take part in the Global Investment Summit, organized by the Madhya Pradesh government to attract foreign investment on Sunday, ordered a probe into the incident.
Madhya Pradesh Congress unit president Jitu Patwari slammed the state government for the recurring incidents of hooch tragedies in the state and demanded a judicial probe into the incident.