Hooch tragedy: Rajnath asks UP to probe, take action

Lucknow, Jan 13: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that state government should thoroughly probe the deaths due to spurious liquor in Lucknow and Unnao, and initiate strict action against those found guilty.

"The state government should thoroughly probe deaths due to spurious liquor and initiate strict action against those found guilty," Singh told reporters.

When asked about disposal of dead bodies in river Ganga, Singh said, "Clean Ganga is our mission. It may take time. There should be a ban on disposing dead bodies in the river and state government should initiate in this regard."

The toll in the hooch tragedy in Lucknow and Unnao districts today climbed to 27 with 13 more people dying in various hospitals here. Over 100 persons were still undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the state capital.

Earlier, addressing convocation of Baba Sahab Bhimrao Abmedkar University, Singh mentioned 'Swacch Bharat' campaign saying that besides cleanliness Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a message of equality with this campaign.

Asking students to free themselves from the "complex of not knowing English", Singh said, "We are not against English or any other language. But the thought that all knowledge is in English is not true. World has learnt from our knowledge of mathematics, science and spritualism."

Stressing on cultural values, Singh said that in many countries, educated youths are resorting to terrorism. "It's due to our cultural values, the Indian youths are earning fame in the world," he said.

On the occasion, state Governor Ram Naik conferred honorary DLit degree on Singh.

PTI