28 die in hooch tragedies in UP and Uttarakhand
Lucknow/Haridwar, Feb 8 (IBNS) : At least 28 people died after they consumed spurious liquor in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in two separate tragedies on Friday, media reports said.
The first incident was reported from Saharanpur, which claimed 16 lives, while in adjoining Haridwar district, 12 deaths have been reported.
According CNN-News 18, victims who are from the adjoining districts of the states are said to have procured the spurious liquor from the same source.
The incident came to light on Friday morning after five deaths were reported in Saharanpur's Umahi village and 10 people were hospitalised in serious condition Locals said that they had consumed spurious liquor. Many were taken ill and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The condition of the admitted remain critical, a doctor said.
In Sharbatpur village, three people were killed, while more deaths were reported from the nearby areas, taking the death toll to 16. More deaths are not being ruled out.
The district administration and local police have begun investigation, while UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who died and Rs 50,000 for those undergoing treatment.
The chief minister has ordered departmental action against district excise officers of Kushinagar and Saharanpur from where deaths have been reported. He has ordered a 15-day joint drive by excise and police officials against those involved in the spurious liquor trade.
Three days ago, 10 people died in a similar tragedy in east UP's Kushinagar. Nine officials, including the local SHO were suspended following the incident.
In the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, 12 people died and at least eight were stated to be critical after they consumed homemade illicit liquor in Roorkee under Haridwar district.
According to an official of the excise department, the illicit liquor was consumed during a funeral procession in a village some 80 kilometres from here on Thursday night.
In all 13 excise officials have been suspended in connection with the case.
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