Hooch tragedy toll rises to 40

Bangalore, May 19 : With eight more person succumbing to death in two city hospitals in Bangalore, four in Kolar and another in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri the death toll in hooch tragedy rose to 40, official sources said on Monday.

Fourteen persons, including three women, died and five were hospitalised in a serious condition after consuming the liquor in two villages in Kolar and the poisonous brew claimed five lives in Devarajeevanahalli area of Bangalore last night.

Eight labourers, who had consumed the liquor bought from Bangalore, died in Dhinamangalam village in Krishnagiri District on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu borders on Sunday.

At least 20 persons were undergoing treatment in Bangalore, while according to a Kolar report at least ten persons, who consumed the spurious liquor, were still battling for their lives in hospitals.

In Krishnagiri 24 persons were being treated in different hospitals.

According to the police report, they have arrested eight vendors in Kolar in connection with the tragedy.

Sources said despite ban on arrack, it is being produced in Bayalunarasipura in Kolar District from where it was supplied to parts of Kolar, rural Bangalore, urban Bangalore besides neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Illicit liquor is made from industrial spirit, to which boot-leggers add a cocktail of ingredients, which could include vegetables, battery acid and pieces of old, rubber tyres.

The deadly mix is then boiled and distilled, and kills hundreds of poor people every year.

ANI