Death toll in India’s toxic liquor consumption rises to 33

NEW DELHI: The death toll in the suspected toxic liquor consumption in the western Indian state of Gujarat Wednesday rose to 33, state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said.

More than 45 people who have consumed toxic liquor are undergoing treatment in the Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad hospitals of the state.

Officials said the condition of some of them was stated to be critical and the death toll is likely to increase further.

“Among the deceased, 24 are from Botad district while nine are from Ahmedabad district,” the broadcaster said.

According to officials, the people living in three districts — Ahmedabad, Botad and Bhavnagar — have consumed the toxic liquor.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday held a high-level meeting and instructed the police to take strong action against all the illegal sellers of narcotics substances in the state.

The local government has set up a three-member committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.

“The committee has been asked to submit its report to the government within three days,” AIR said.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations carried out by the police revealed the bootleggers had mixed industrial solvent methyl alcohol with water and sold it as country-made liquor in single plastic pouches.

Police have registered three cases against 14 people under charges of murder and other offenses. So far eight of the accused have been detained, reports said.

Gujarat is a dry state and there is a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol since 1960.

Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country-made bootleg liquor.

-Xinhua