Six killed, nine fell ill after consuming hooch in AP

Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Mar 19 (UNI) Six persons were killed and nine others fell ill, four of them seriously, after consuming spurious liquor today at Rattakanna village on the outskirts of Ichapuram town bordering Orissa, about 90 km from here today.

Ichapuram Police inspector S Rajasekhar Rao told UNI tonight while the four in serious condition were shifted to a hospital in Berhampur in Orissa, about 16 km from this town, five others were admitted to Ichapuram Government Hospital.

Mr Rao said the incident occured when 15 people went to the village to attend a funeral ceremony this afternoon. As per customs they were offered hooch by the family of the deceased. A few hours later they were taken ill and six of them died died on way to hospital.

The victims were daily-wage workers in nearby quarries.

Rattakanna and the neighbouring Balakrishnapura villages are known for manufacturing crude bombs. There had been rivalry and clashes between the two villages often, which resulted in the loss of lives, official sources said.

Earlier, seven people died in Berhampur during the last three days after consuming spurious liquor.

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