Bangalore/Krishnagiri: The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu rose sharply to 65 as 44 more people died on Monday in hospitals in the two states.

In Karnataka alone, 48 people lost their lives in Bangalore and Kolar. Twenty-nine people died on Monday in Devrajeevanahalli area in the city and 19 in Kolar town, police said.

In Krishnagiri district, located close to the Karnataka border, nine more people lost their lives, C Thenmozhi, Supreintendent of Police (Krishnagiri district), told reporters.

She said many of the labourers, working on the other side of the border, either drank or bought liquor from Adnaikal, a border town.

Thirty more people are in hospital in Dengenakottai and Hosur, she said.

Meanwhile, police in Karnataka spread their net to nab the main suspect in the hooch.

The incident sparked protests from political parties in poll bound Karnataka with Congress blaming it on JD(S)-BJP government's decision banning arrack and JD(S) demanding a CBI investigation into the hooch.

The Karnataka goverment announced Rs 10,000 as immediate compensation from the National Security Fund to the families of those who died in the tragedy and Rs 1,000 for funeral expenses.