Six more die:Ganjam hooch tragedy toll rises to 21

Berhampur, Orissa, Mar 20 (UNI) The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Ganjam district rose to 21 with six more people admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital succumbing to the killer liquor today.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already ordered a Judicial probe into the incident and requested the Orissa High Court Chief Justice to nominate a sitting of retired high court judge to conduct the probe under the Commission of Inquiry Act.

Sources here said B Joggi Reddy (55) of Kantiagada, Panu Bisoyi of Madhur Chua, Sanyasi Patra, Maguni Patro and Devraj Patro of Bada Rama Chandrapur, P Gangaya of Sana Ram Chandrapur under Rambha police station died at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here today.

All of them were under alcoholic intoxication treatment in the hospital.

A total of 53 people were being treated in MKCG Hospital and Chatrapur Hospital after consuming spurious liquor.As many as 129 people have been discharged from there and the Chatrapur Hospital after treatment during the last three days.

A medical team consisting of senior doctors of the Medical College and Hospitals led by Prof Trilochan Sahu, Prof Sunamani Bag, Prof Jatin Kumar Das had visited RamChansdrapur, Sana Ram Chandrapur, Gada Humma, Khajuriapalli and Baunsiapalli.

The team which educated the villagers on the symptoms of the hooch tragedy would submit the report to the Ganjam Collector the Director of Health Services.

Energy Minister Surya Narayan who enquired the health of the affected people at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, later visited the villages of the deceased people in Gada Humma and Ram Chandrapur where he faced the wrath and anguish of the people who demanded immediate arrest of two liquor vendors responsible for the liquor tragedy.

The Villagers alleged that both the vendors supplied liquor to many villages including Belagada, Khajuriapalli, Gada Humma and Bausiapalli.

Meanwhile B B Babeya (50), a resident of Kanisi in Golanthara bordering Andhra Pradesh died in MKCG Medical College and Hospital today. He was admitted here after he consumed country liquor at Ratakana village under Ichhapur Municipality in Andhra Pradesh on March 19 last.

Seven persons including Guju Perumulu, Durgasi Keleya, Mata Gurunadham, Mata Kaneya, K Gopeya and C Chenneya were admitted in the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here after their condition turned critical in Ichhapur Hospital yesterday.

Srikakulam Collector A K Rao who visited MKCG Medical College and Hospital today said that the death toll in Ichhapur hooch tragedy has gone upto ten.

Union Miniaster of Labour and Employment Chandra Sekher Sahu and Orissa Excise Minister Kalindi Behera are schedule to visit the affected villages tomorrow for an on the spot investigation into the incident, official sources here said.

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