The death toll in the Etah hooch tragedy in Uttar Pradesh has climbed to 33, provoking an under-fire Samajwadi Party government to launch a state-wide drive against spurious liquor leading to the arrest of 1621 persons across the State.
While 29 persons died in Etah district, four more victims were reported from neighbouring Farukkhabad, police said. Some have also lost their eyesight.
Joining the BJP, which has blamed Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for the lapse as the Excise department comes under him, the BSP on Tuesday said the loss of life of innocent people reflected the SP government’s “criminal negligence” and failure.
BSP chief Mayawati termed the incident an example of the “prevailing jungle raj” in the State, alleging sale of spurious liquor was rampant under the SP regime.
Officials suspended
The SP government has suspended many police and administrative officials, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Station House Officer, Circle Officer and District Excise Officer, for dereliction of duty.
The incident has rattled the U.P. government, which carried out a drive against sale of illegal liquor across the State. The police registered 1,585 cases and arrested 1,621 persons accused of being engaged in spurious liquor trade. Also, 36,121 litres of spurious liquor were seized while seven vehicles were recovered, a police spokesperson said.
During its campaign, which was led by top U.P. cops, 197 illegal liquor joints were shut down. The police on Saturday night nabbed main accused Shripal Lodh from Nayagaon in the district.
Ms. Mayawati demanded that the compensation given to the families of the victims be increased — the State had announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each and said it would also bear the cost of treatment of those who lost their eyesight.
The BJP, which has formed a seven-member team to probe the incident, will submit its report in a couple of days, BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak said. Etah MP Rajveer Singh, State general secretary and son of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Pankaj Singh and Agra MP and former minister Ram Shankar Katheria, are part of the team.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said those responsible for the tragedy must be brought to book.
UP DGP Javeed Ahmed has instructed officers to check the sale of spurious liquor and warned that station officers and gazetted officials concerned would be held responsible for any lapses.
