Lucknow: Toll in hooch tragedy climbs to 31

The toll in the hooch tragedy in Lucknow and Unnao districts on Tuesday climbed to 31 with 17 more people dying in various hospitals in Lucknow.

Over 100 persons were still undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the state capital.

"Till now 12 deaths have been reported from King George Medical University, two each from Balrampur hospital and Malihabad and one from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital," Chief Medical Officer, Lucknow, SNS Yadav told PTI.

He said these deaths do not include seven in Unnao and three elsewhere.

"Patients still undergoing treatment include 61 in KGMU, 17 in Balrampur, 20 in civil hospital and 16 in Lohia hospital. 17 patients are under observation," Yadav said.

Condition of about 10 others admitted in various hospitals in the state capital is stated to be serious.

The hooch tragedy occurred in Kharta and other villages in Malihabad area of Lucknow and Talasarai village in Hasanganj area of Unnao district on Monday.

Seven persons, who consumed illicit liquor in Datli village in Malihabad, died in Talasarai village in adjoining Unnao district, Station in-charge, Hasanganj, Pradeep Yadav had said.

Taking serious note of the incident, Excise Commissioner Anil Garg had suspended seven employees of the department, including excise inspector of Malihabad area, and recommended action against District Excise Officer, Lucknow, Lal Bahadur Yadav.

Besides, Circle Officer, Station Officer, a sub-inspector and 3 police personnel were placed under suspension in Malihabad.  In a crackdown by the administration, two more suspects have been arrested on Tuesday morning.

Earlier on Monday, the police took the key suspect Jugnu Pasi into custody. His younger brother Chutkan Pasi and another accomplice Jiwa Pasai were booked and arrested from their home in Dattali Khera village under the Malihabad police circle, about 23 km from Lucknow.

According to the police, Jugnu and his accomplices were allegedly involved in both brewing and peddling the poisonous concoction that proved to be the killer of such a large number of people.

The cops claim to have reason to believe that the brewing was done with a mix of the highly toxic methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol ,which is meant to be used in the manufacture of consumable liquor.

Cracking the whip, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had directed suspension of sub-divisional magistrate, assistant excise commissioner (enforcement), district excise officer, circle officer of police and station house officer.

Akhilesh also directed departmental action against joint excise commissioner and sought explanation from the excise commissioner. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lack each for the families of the victims and said free treatment should be provided to those admitted in hospitals.

With inputs from Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

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