Hooch claims 12 lives in UP; 100 others fall ill, 10 serious

Lucknow/Unnao, Jan 12: In a major spurious liquor tragedy, 12 persons, including three of a family, died in the two districts today and over 100 others were taken ill, police said.

The condition of over 10 persons admitted in hospitals in the state capital is stated to be serious, they said. The incident occurred in Kharta and other villages in Malihabad area of Lucknow and Talasarai village in Hasanganj area of Unnao district, they said.

While 8 persons lost their lives in Lucknow, four died in Unnao. Taking a serious note of the incident, Excise Commissioner Anil Garg suspended seven employees of the department, including excise inspector of Malihabad area, and recommended action against District Excise Officer Lucknow Lal Bahadur Yadav.

Besides, Circle Officer, Station Officer, a sub-inspector and three police personnel were placed under suspension in Malihabad, IG (Law and Order) A Satish Ganesh said in Lucknow.

He said a case has been lodged against five persons for selling spurious liquor and one arrest has been made. "So far, over 100 people have been admitted to different hospitals including Balrampur Hospital and Trauma Centre in Lucknow," Chief Medical Officer (CMO), SNS Yadav said.

Four persons, who consumed liquor in Datli village in Malihabad last night, died in Talasarai village in adjoining Unnao district, Station Incharge Hasanganj Pradeep Yadav said. Garg said a probe has been ordered and Joint Excise Commissioner Varanasi will conduct the probe.

PTI