Naveen visits hooch tragedy village; toll rises to 9

Berhampur, Apr 24 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today visited Golabandha village, where nine people have been killed so far after consuming spurious liquor during the last two days.

Mr Patnaik accompanied by state Excise Minister Kalandi Behera and Energy Minister S N Patra visited the victims houses and consoled the bereaved family members.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 to the next kin of those who died in the liquor tragedy and an equal amount each to the widows of the victims under the Family Benefit Scheme.

The Chief Minister also visited the M K C G Medical College and Hospital where as many as 43 people were admitted after consuming spurious liquor. He assured the people that strong action would be taken against the liquor vendors for selling illicit liquor in the district.

Yesterday's liquor tragedy in Golabandh village was the third such incident in the district during the last two months. At least 25 people were killed after consuming spurious liquor in three villages under Rambha police station on March 19 last.

On April 17, two more people in the district died after taking spurious liquor. The Chief Minister had already ordered a judicial inquiry into the March 19 liquor tragedy in the district.

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