Patna, Nov 5 (UNI) With reports of five more casualties, the death toll in Hooch tragedy in Gopalganj and West Champaran district increased to 26 in Bihar while four policemen were also suspended with immediate effect for dereliction of their duties, here on Friday.

As per reports received here from Gopalganj, the death toll in Hooch tragedy in Mahmmadpur village of the district, has increased to 17 so far. Officials of the district administration, however, did not confirm number of casualties but villagers stressed that at least 17 people died in the incident. Till Wednesday, eight people had died after consuming spurious liquor while the number increased to 13 on Thursday and by Friday morning, the casualty figure further increased to 17.

According to another report reaching here from Bettiah, the death toll in hooch tragedy in Telhua village of West Champaran district has increased to 9 so far. Some people had consumed spurious liquor on Wednesday night and after that complained of uneasiness, who were rushed to nearby hospitals. Some of them died while being taken to the hospital and others died during treatment. Eight people had lost their lives till

Thursday and the death toll had increased to nine till Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Gopalganj district Anand Kumar said that the Officer-in-charge of Mahmmadpur police station Shashi Ranjan Kumar and Chowkidar had been suspended with immediate effect for dereliction of their duties. Similarly, Officer-in-charge of Nautan police station and Chowkidar have also been suspended for the same reason.

A joint team of the excise department and district administration have conducted a series of raids in Gopalganj district and sealed 3 houses where trade of spurious liquor was going on. Four people have also been arrested in this connection.

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