Berhampur: The death toll in Chikiti hooch tragedy in Ganjam district rose to 4 on Sunday with one more person succumbing at MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Odisha’s Berhampur.
He was hospitalised along with a dozen others after allegedly consuming spurious country liquor in Chikiti area in Ganjam district on August 19 evening.
According to sources, people from Moundpur, Jenapur and Karabalua village of Chikiti block consumed country liquor from a local unlicensed vendor.
On Saturday, one of the victims identified as Lakshman Behera admitted to MKCG MCH died during treatment.
Police have so far arrested 16 people in connection with the hooch tragedy. It is suspected that illicit liquor supplied to rural areas of Andhra Pradesh is linked to the tragedy, and the traders are now believed to be hiding in the neighbouring state.
On August 22, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced an administrative probe by the RDC into the liquor case while asserting the government’s commitment to demolishing all the illegal country liquor joints.
