South 24 Parganas officials fear death toll could rise further
More than 50 people died and about 70 fell ill on Wednesday after consuming spurious liquor at Sangrampur in the Diamond Harbour Subdivision of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district.
“The victims had consumed spurious liquor from an illicit liquor shop at Sangrampur near the Magrahat station. There are more than 40 people who have died….It will be a while before we can come to a final figure as the post-mortem and other processes are still being conducted,” District Magistrate N.S. Nigam told The Hindu.
Thirty-three people were admitted in the Diamond Harbour Subdivision Hospital and the rest in hospitals here, he said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as a social malaise that would have to be curbed through public awareness, rising above political interests. District Chief Medical Officer of Health Sikha Adhikari said the victims died of “cardio-respiratory failure” owing to methyl poisoning.
The government has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the families of the victims.
Keywords: Spurious liquor tragedy, illicit arrack

























Miss.Mamata, it is a social malaise, accepted. But what were the police doing? taking bribes from the seller and allowing them to sell?I would like to remind you, we have laws and regulations for everything in this country, but the problem is, it is not maintained or it can be bought.A proper investigation will surely find some politician directly or indirectly involved, are you bold enough to take the required actions?
The deaths in the hospital due to fire and these deaths due to illicit liquor give the same effect to the families.But the CM raised all her arms against the authorities in the hospital case. Here she wanted social awareness above party politics.Hamlet had wondered,"whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,or to take arms against the sea of troubles".But leaders feel that they could do both and get away with it.
Looks like Mamta Banerjee has taken tax payers money for granted. If some fools go and drink illicit liquor and die, why should their kin be compensated with tax payers money? If AMRI is responsible for the gruesome death of 93 patients they should be paying the compensation and not us. What was our fault in the unleashing of this tragedy. The officials responsible go scot-free while we have to take the financial burden. Utter disregard of tax payers sentiments. Mamata didi can instead legalize suicide and culpable homicide and pay compensation to all those indulging in it. I wonder if she would have been so liberal if it were her own hard earned money?
Despite thumping win, Mamatadi in Bengal and Jayalalithaa in TN have become the captives of the situation in home state and failed to influence peope & govt. machinery and deliver goods so far to justify their win. Some problem or other is cropping up every other day taking toll, making the situation difficult to administer. Both the CMs should lay a plan and take things forward in consultation with opposition. They should make their respective states trash-free first before undertaking big ventures as such a move will improve health standards a lot in poverty ridden India.Pl.attend to basics first.
this is not the first incidence of its kind, untill now thousands have been killed for the same reason in various parts of the country but for authourities they still have to spread awareness regarding spurious liquor. i just wonder why cannot the whole parliament comes to a standstill when such incidence occurs. The authorities of the area should be questioned rather put them behind bars. One time thalidomide tragedy brings strict drug efficacy ammendments in U.S parliament however in our country thousands have been killed for the same reason and govt announces compensation each time and thats it. untill we start punishing those irresponsible govt employees who make a nexus with adultrated liquor manufacturers till then nothing can be achieved . ONE TIME CHANAKYA SAID LEARN FROM MISTAKES OF OTHERS. LETS HOPE ALL THE STATE GOVTS IN INDIA WILL TAKE A LESSON AND NEXT TIME NO PEOPLE DYING OF SPURIOUS LIQUOR. if it still happens then shame on that govt.
Mamata demands debt relief from New Delhi for the bankrupt Bengal government. Under the circumstances, it is irresponsible on her part to declare government grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of every victim of illicit drinking. Mamata should have gone after the suppliers of the illicit drink for the Rs 80 lakhs. Further more, Mamata should have kept a part of that Rs. 80 lakhs for the debt-ridden Bengal government because those that indulge in illicit drinking don't necessarily deserve 100 percent compensation.
Please Email the Editor