Toxic liquor that was consumed by residents of Malihabad and Unnao villages a couple of days back has so far claimed 32 lives, while leaving over 100 affected, including a dozen critical ones, are being treated in various hospitals here. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has suspended two dozen officials, including Excise Commissioner Anil Garg, even as a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the tragedy.
The police sources said while there have been 24 deaths in Malihabad villages, eight casualties have been reported from Unnao. Death toll could further go up as many are still battling with their lives at the Medical College’s trauma centre that is packed to its capacity.
Affected residents are also being treated at couple of city hospitals while some have been admitted in medical centres in Malihabad and Unnao. Senior health and administrative officials are camping in hospitals and monitoring the situation round-the-clock.
Tragedy struck over half-a-dozen villages in Malihabad and Unnao after they consumed spurious country-made liquor that is reported to have been made in Datli village of Malihabad. While 17 deaths were reported on Monday, another 15 died on Tuesday.
The police have so far arrested three persons, while hunt is on to nab their other accomplices. All of them would be charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) that has severe penal provisions, police sources said. Apart from the police, the Excise Intelligence Bureau is also probing the case.
Taking a strong view of the tragedy, the Chief Minister has suspended Excise Commissioner Anil Garg, who heads the Excise department, while over 20 other officials of excise, police and district administration have also been suspended, which include a joint commissioner of excise, district excise department heads of Lucknow and Unnao, Sub-divisional magistrate and circle officer of Malihabad.
Mr. Yadav also announced Rs.2-lakh compensation for family members of the each deceased. He has also reviewed the functioning of excise department and asked officials to crack down on those involved in illegal liquor trade business.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was in Lucknow, has asked the State Government to thoroughly probe the incident and initiate strict action against those found guilty. He also sought a detailed report on the tragedy.
