Sagar hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 11, CM orders strict action

Sagar (MP)/Bhopal: The death toll in the suspected spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district rose to 11 on Sunday, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to order a thorough probe and the “strictest possible action” against those responsible.

“I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry,” the Chief Minister said on the incident.

“Our government will absolutely not tolerate such incidents,” Yadav told IANS.

According to information, the deaths were reported from four villages in the district after several people allegedly consumed illicit liquor on Saturday night.

Around 35 people have been brought to hospitals for treatment, and those in serious condition have been referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and the District Hospital in Sagar.

Doctors treating the victims reported symptoms including bluish discolouration of the body and muscle stiffness.

District Collector Pratibha Pal said reports of illness and deaths allegedly linked to illicit liquor consumption had emerged since morning and an investigation was underway at the Civil Hospital.

Medical teams are conducting screening in the affected villages and bringing people who consumed the suspected liquor to hospitals for examination.

Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal has appealed to people who consumed alcohol during the past 24 to 48 hours to immediately undergo medical screening, particularly if they develop symptoms associated with toxic liquor consumption.

“Our team of doctors and the SDM team are also present in the surrounding areas, including the two identified villages of Naura and Ghugru, for screening. Anyone experiencing symptoms or who has consumed any type of liquor in the last 24 to 48 hours should get screened by a doctor,” she said.

The administration has sealed six liquor shops in the area and ordered testing of liquor samples.

Instructions have also been issued to take strict action against those involved in the alleged illicit liquor trade.

The exact cause of the deaths will be established after post-mortem examinations, a police official said.

The tragedy comes amid the Madhya Pradesh government’s police-led “Nasha Se Doori Hai Zaroori 2.0” campaign, which has been running since July 15 to create awareness against substance abuse and promote a drug-free state.

The opposition Congress attacked the state government over the deaths, alleging that the liquor mafia was operating with impunity.

Claiming 15 deaths in the Sagar incident, state Congress President Jitu Patwari said: “A few days ago as well, there was an incident involving poisonous liquor there. Across the state, the liquor mafia is continuously operating with impunity and causing deaths.”

Patwari said he had earlier raised the issue and written to the Chief Minister, urging action against what he described as the drug and liquor mafia.

However, the Congress leader’s claim of 15 deaths could not be independently verified as authorities have confirmed 11 deaths so far.

Police and excise officials are investigating the source of the suspected liquor. The exact cause of the deaths will be established through medical examinations, post-mortem reports and laboratory testing. With several people still undergoing treatment and screening continuing in the affected villages, officials said the casualty figure could rise.

IANS