Hooch tragedy toll reaches 127 in Karnataka

Bangalore, May 21 (UNI) The Sunday's hutch tragedy has so far claimed 127 lives in Bangalore city, rural and Kolar Districts of Karnataka with 36 more deaths reported since last night.

A spate of deaths were reported in Hoskote and Anekal towns in Bangalore rural district three day's after the tragedy struck.

Today Hoskote reported 17 deaths, while nine died in Anekal.

Bangalore city accounted for eight deaths while two died in Kolar district.

The district wise deaths so far had been Bangalore city 60, Bangalore rural 34 and Kolar 33.

In Narasapura, Tekal and Bangarapet in Kolar District the situation was improving as some of those admitted to hospital being discharged and sent home today, Hospital sources told UNI.

However, in Bangalore District, including Anekal and Hoskote, the situation continued to be in grim as death toll rose sharply.

Nearly 150 people have been admitted to various hospitals in these three places.

State intelligence department had alerted the Excise department on the possibility of the hooch being sold in many other villages.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who visited Bowring Hospital where some of the victims have been admitted for treatment and consoled them, Following complaints from the relatives of the admitted, he directed the authorities to take immediate steps to post additional doctors at the Bowring Hospital where more than 60 people still under treatment.

Following the incident, authorities launched large scale combing operation to smash illicit liquor dens and destroyed thousands of litres of waste used to manufacture illicit liquor after conducting raids. In the most affected places, villagers came forward to unearth and destroy brew filled pots.

Five more persons, including two women from Kolar district, were arrested in connection with the tragedy.

In Kolar district, 13 Excise officials have been kept under suspension, pending departmental inquiry, for dereliction of duty.

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