Adulterated soft drink claims two lives in UP

Khiriya Tola (UP), June 20 : Atleast two children died and more than 40 were hospitalised here after consuming adulterated soft drink.

Children of Khiriya Tola village in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh were admitted to a hospital when they complained of uneasiness soon after consuming soft drink packaged in polypacks.

"We admitted the children as they were in serious condition. Two children have died. As per the newspaper reports, one more child died at the Gorakhpur medical college. We have sent six children to the Gorakhpur medical college, four are serious," N. H Singh, chief medical superintendent, Kushinagar district.

Police swung into action and are probing whether the shopkeeper, Sunil, tasked a boy to dispose off the spurious drink at a throwaway price.

"According to the shopkeeper, he asked the child to throw away the packets of the soft drink, but the boy said that he was asked to sell off the packets for one rupee each. We don't think the child is lying. Most of those taken ill are children and one woman also consumed it," said P.K. Mohanty, Commissioner of Gorakhpur Division.

The administration has suspended two food inspectors, four police officials and the Kushinagar district collector for dereliction of duty.

Inspections and raids are also being conducted across the region to seize illegal stocks of spurious drinks.

ANI