At least 11 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district, officials said on Sunday. These persons had consumed the liquor overnight between Saturday and Sunday in two villages--- in Nauraj and Googra Khurd--- inBanda tehsil, located 30 km from the district headquarters.
The Sagar Commissioner, Inspector General (IG), District Magistrate (Collector), and Superintendent of Police (SP), along with a police team, reached the spot following the incident. Officials also met with the affected families and oversaw arrangements for the treatment of patients admitted to the hospital.
According to preliminary information, the deceased were residents of Baraj village in Banda.
7 liquor shops sealed
Following the incident, officials ordered strict legal action against illegal liquor traders. As a precautionary measure, seven liquor shops in the area have been sealed, and immediate sampling has been ordered.
The administration has appealed to locals who have consumed liquor and are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, or fever to visit the nearest health center immediately for a check-up as a precaution.
District Magistrate Pratibha Pal also visited the hospital to inquire about the patients' condition and instructed officials to conduct an immediate investigation and take strict action.
The Collector said that several people had fallen ill after allegedly consuming toxic liquor, while some had died. Others were undergoing medical examinations at the Civil Hospital, she said.
"A team of doctors is conducting screenings in two nearby villages. Anyone who suspects they are exhibiting symptoms or has consumed any form of liquor in the last 24 to 48 hours should certainly get examined by a doctor or visit the Civil Hospital for a check-up. We are monitoring such cases, and further action regarding the matter is being taken," she added.
Mohan Yadav vows strict action
Reacting to the deaths allegedly caused by spurious liquor consumption, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said he had instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately. He assured that the government would take the strictest possible action and conduct a thorough inquiry, adding that such incidents would not be tolerated.
"I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry. Our government will absolutely not tolerate such incidents," he said.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari criticised the state government over the incident, saying it exposed the government’s failure to curb the liquor mafia in Madhya Pradesh.
On the deaths of people allegedly due to consuming poisonous liquor in Sagar, Congress leader Jitu Patwari said, "This incident exposes the true nature of this government. This is not the first time this has happened. Madhya Pradesh has been taken over by liquor mafias. With great sorrow, I say that such incidents have occurred in Sagar before as well. I myself went there and met with the victims. Parents in every household are shedding tears of blood against this addiction, and the government remains silent. I believe there should be a judicial inquiry into this, and the mafias should be behind bars within 24 hours. The people of Madhya Pradesh have seen the real face of this government, and they will give it a fitting response," said Patwari.
Further details regarding the cause of the deaths and the liquor consumed by the victims are awaited.
The incident comes after 13 persons died last month due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, a 'dry' state where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are banned.
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