Five persons have died while nine others are critical after they consumed spurious liquor in Shamli in western Uttar Pradesh, the police said on Thursday. While three of them died on Tuesday, two deaths were reported on Wednesday.
The incident happened at Kamalpur village under Jhanjhana police station. A case has been registered against some liquor vendors under various IPC Sections, including 304A (causing death by negligence) and relevant Sections of the Excise Act. The deceased include Inderpal (50), Dharmpal (49), Raj Kumar (42) and Sanjay (35).
The police were informed about the incident on Tuesday morning. They said one Joga Singh (55), who had supplied the liquor and also consumed it, died on Tuesday.
Talking to The Hindu, Shamli District Magistrate Indra Vikram Singh said, “The police are investigating the matter from all angles.” When asked if the liquor was manufactured locally or supplied from outside, he said, “It is yet to be ascertained. We suspect that a local was involved in manufacturing the liquor. It is suspected that even he died after consuming the liquor.” Mr. Singh said that the chemical in the liquor that claimed five lives has not been identified yet.
About a dozen of people are admitted in different hospitals in Shamli and Haryana’s Karnal district. Villagers alleged that the victims had consumed some countrymade liquor.
Mr. Singh said that after the incident came to light, five policemen, including Bidoli police outpost in charge Sub-Inspector K.P. Singh, were suspended for negligence in duty.
“We have ordered a probe and sought a detailed report from the District Excise Officer. Bodies of the two who died on Wednesday were sent for post-mortem. We will also send a report to the State government,” he said.
A senior police officer said that initially the families of the deceased had denied deaths due to consumption of countrymade liquor. Families of two of the victims had claimed that they died due to heart attack and did not want a post-mortem.Families of victims who died on Tuesday also refused to lodge any complaint with the police.
Excise office vandalised
Fumed over the incident, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Wednesday vandalised the local Excise Department office. Dharmender, a BKU leader, said the outfit had lodged several complaints in the past about sale of illicit liquor and smuggling from Haryana, but no action was taken. “The syndicate was running in connivance with the local police and administration. The death toll is likely to go up,” he said.