Berhampur: The toll in Odisha’s Chikiti hooch tragedy went up to 4 on Monday with the death of one more person at MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Berhampur.
The deceased was identified as Pradeep Behera from Jenapur village. He was among 15 persons who were admitted in MKCG Hospital after reportedly consuming spurious country liquor in Chikiti area of Ganjam district on August 19.
According to sources, people from Moundpur, Jenapur and Karabalua village of Chikiti block consumed country liquor from a local unlicensed vendor.
On Sunday, one Baya Sethi from Karabalua village died in the hospital during treatment while one Lakshman Behera had succumbed on Saturday. Three other villagers had died earlier.
Police have arrested 16 people in connection with the hooch tragedy so far. It is suspected that these people consumed the illicit liquor supplied to rural areas of Andhra Pradesh.
