AYODHYA:
Spurious liquor claimed five lives at Makhdoompur village in
Ambedkarnagar district early Tuesday and at least seven residents of the village, bordering Azamgarh, are battling for life. Hours after midnight, when villagers reported uneasiness and some lost consciousness, they were rushed to a nearby private clinic in Zaidpur police station area.
While three died on the way, two others succumbed at the
district hospital, where they were later shifted.
Police managed to send only two bodies for autopsy after villagers hurriedly cremated those who died soon after consuming hooch. Five people were arrested, including the liquor shop owner in Mittupur area of Azamgarh, where the poisonous brew was bought. Superintendent of police, Ambedkarnagar, Alok Priyadarshi, told TOI that station house officer of Zaidpur police station, a sub-Inspector and two beat constables were suspended for laxity. “The
hooch toll is currently five and we are investigating the illegal sale of spurious liquor. We are waiting for the autopsy report of one of the victims and have filed a case in Zaidpur police station,” said the police officer. Angry villagers who had laid siege to the Mittupur police station after the deaths, were later dispersed.