Seven killed in hooch tragedy in South Orissa

Berhampur, Apr 23 (UNI) Seven people were killed and 33 others admitted to hospital after consuming spurious liquor in Gholabandh village, about 18 km from here, today.

Police said while three people died in the village, two others breathed their last in M K C G Medical College and Hospital here where they were admitted along with other villagers. Two more died on way to the hospital.

All the villagers had consumed spurious liquor from a nearby village and complained of stomach pain and vomiting this morning.

This is the third such incident in the district during the last one month. Earlier on March 19, 25 people were killed after consuming spurious liquor in three villages under Rambha police station.

Again on April 17, two more people in the district died after consuming spurious liquor.

Police said the villagers disposed of two bodies but they managed to seize three bodies while being cremated by the villagers inside the village.

Union Labour Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu and Orissa Pradesh Congress Chief Jayadeb Jena visited the village for an on-the-spot investigation into the incident.

Mr Jena has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Excise Minister Kalandi Behera, holding them responsible for the tragedy. He alleged that the ruling party leaders and workers were patronising the liquor mafia in the district to run the illicit liquor business.

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