Bhubaneswar: Following the death of two persons in a hooch tragedy, the Odisha government has suspended Berhampur Excise Inspector Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and SI Prasanna Kumar Dhali.
Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan ordered for immediate suspension of the two and also the transfer of Berhampur Excise Superintendent Pradeep Panigrahi. He also sought a detailed report on the incident from his department and instructed principal secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani and excise commissioner Narasingha Bhola to beef up enforcement against illicit liquor trade across the state.
Harichandan asserted that the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against illicit liquor and directed the officials to keep strict vigil and conduct raids on illegal liquor manufacturing units and shops across the state. He also asked the authorities to make special arrangements for the treatment of those admitted to the hospital.
THE TRAGEDY
At least 20 persons from Moundpur, Jenapur and Karabalua village of Chikiti block fell ill after consuming country liquor from a local unlicensed shop on Monday evening. They were initially admitted to Chikiti community health centre (CHC) and 14 among them were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital as their condition deteriorated.
The victims Jura Behera (60) and Lokanath Behera (36), both from Jenapur village, were admitted to the ICU. Twelve others are still undergoing treatment.
THE ARRESTS
So far, eight persons, including a woman and manufacturer Surendra Mallick of Khemundi, have been arrested in connection with the tragedy. Mallick allegedly has been selling illicit liquor in Patrapur and Digapahandi areas of Ganjam and some pockets of Nayagarh district since the last four years and had returned to the trade even after being arrested at least five times in the past.
“Of the accused, Baya Sahu was arrested for purchasing the toxic liquor from Mallick and then selling it in Moundpur village. It is suspected that the country liquor sold by Sahu was possibly laced with spurious substances,” Excise commissioner Narasingha Bhol told mediapersons here on Wednesday.
Family members of the victims claimed that the liquor was illicitly brewed in a forest near Bhalughai and sold in the nearby areas. Bootleggers mix pesticides and even battery powder with the spurious liquor, sources said.
THE RAIDS
Following incident, the Excise department launched a seven-day drive starting Tuesday to check the sale of illicit liquor across the state. A total of 203 cases were registered and 117 people were arrested from different districts between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning for allegedly manufacturing and selling country liquor.
The Excise officials also seized 10,380 litre illicitly distilled liquor and destroyed fermented alcohol (pocha) at seven places in Ganjam, Balasore and Sonepur districts.
