Berhampur: The toll due to the alleged consumption of spurious liquor in Odisha’s Ganjam district rose to two with the death of another person on Wednesday.
Sources said Lokanath Behera (34) of Jenapur village under Chikiti block died while undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, hospital authorities said.
With this, the death toll in the Chikiti spurious liquor case rose to two.
Earlier, a 60-year-old man from Jenapur had passed away on Tuesday night at MKCG MCH here. He was identified as Zur Behera. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU since Monday night.
The two were among the 15 people of Karbalua and Jenapur who fell ill after reportedly consuming “spurious” country-made liquor from an illegal vendor at Maoundpur village under Nuagaon police station limits on Monday.
While 13 other people are also being treated at the hospital, condition of two is stated to be critical and they are in the ICU, hospital sources said.
Family members of the deceased blocked the road at Chikiti, demanding compensation from the government soon after his death.
So far, five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Excise Department officials have also sized 55 litre of country liquor.
Also Read: BJD Slams Odisha Govt Over Chikiti Hooch Episode, Accuses BJP Of Encouraging Illegal Liquor Business
