The death toll in the spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district has climbed to 15 after two more victims succumbed during treatment, police said. Nearly 40 people remain hospitalised, including three who are in critical condition. Officials said one of the deceased was also an accused in the alleged bootlegging network.
Police said 14 of the 30 people named as accused in the case have been arrested so far, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects. Authorities have also intensified their crackdown on the illegal liquor trade and appealed to people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as vomiting, headache or fever after consuming alcohol.
Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania told PTI Videos that 15 people have died in the incident so far, including one of the accused. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sagar Range, Shashindra Singh Chauhan said three separate FIRs have been filed following complaints from the victims' families. Three excise department officials and two policemen have also been suspended in connection with the incident.
Gugra Khurd village in the district has been plunged into mourning after five residents died following consumption of the poisonous liquor. Among the deceased were three members of the same family — two brothers and their cousin. Villagers said around 30 people from the village are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Jasrath Lodhi, a resident of the village, told PTI Videos that Ujiyar Singh and Bhagwan Singh Lodhi worked at a factory in Indore and had returned home for Raksha Bandhan. He said the two had come back after a long period away, attended a party with friends and consumed alcohol.
Suman Singh Lodhi, Bhagwan Singh Lodhi's wife, is pregnant with their second child. “My dreams are over now. There is nothing left in life. We only demand from the government administration that they help us and ban the sale of liquor so that such a tragedy does not befall anyone else,” she said.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar has written to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav seeking a high-level investigation into the incident and stringent action against those responsible. He also called for an inquiry into the alleged involvement of senior police and excise officials and urged the government to launch a special drive against illicit liquor in the affected areas as well as across the state.
With the death toll reaching 15, dozens of people still receiving treatment and several arrests already made, police and the administration continue to investigate the incident and take action against those allegedly involved in the illegal liquor trade.
