Sagar (MP): At least ten persons died and some others fell ill after consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district Sunday, an official said, days after a similar tragedy in neighbouring Gujarat.
A local BJP MLA, however, said 11 persons had died after consuming the spurious liquor.
MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered a probe into the incident, asserting that no guilty person would be spared.
The district administration sealed seven liquor shops in the affected area as a precaution and ordered immediate sampling, officials said.
The hooch tragedy in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh comes after 13 people died last month from spurious liquor consumption in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, a ‘dry’ state, also ruled by the saffron party, where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are banned.
“Ten persons have died after consuming illegal spurious liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil, about 30 km from the district headquarters,” Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal, who was visiting the affected area, told PTI over the phone.
Asked about the number of people who had fallen ill, she said screening was underway, and those complaining of fever and headache were being shifted to the government-run Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital (BMCH).
“Three such persons have been sent to BMCH. None of them is serious,” the official said.
The first death was reported in the early hours of Sunday. Preliminary autopsy reports had not yet been received, Pal said.
Asked if the death toll might rise, the collector said she could not comment.
When contacted, Banda BJP MLA Virendra Lodhi said, “As per my knowledge, 11 people have died after consuming spurious liquor. Around 25 have been rushed from Banda Civil Hospital to other hospitals for advanced healthcare.”
CM Yadav said the deaths in the Banda-Shahgarh area were “extremely sad and unfortunate” and directed the minister in charge and officials to conduct an immediate probe and take strict action against those responsible.
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also sought immediate information from officials and directed them to ensure prompt investigation, relief and medical treatment in the affected area, as per an official statement.
Senior officials, including the Sagar divisional commissioner, inspector general, collector and superintendent of police, reached the affected area and took stock of the situation.
They met the affected families and reviewed treatment and medical arrangements for patients admitted to hospitals.
The district administration sealed seven liquor shops in the affected area as a precautionary measure and ordered immediate sampling. It also directed officials to take strict legal action against those involved in the illegal liquor trade, officials said.
The administration also appealed to people who had consumed liquor and were experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headache or fever to immediately visit the nearest health centre and undergo a medical examination.
PTI
