Hooch Tragedy: Death toll mounts to 77 after deaths in Saharanpur, Haridwar; 14 UP officials suspended

Authorities suspended the excise inspector, two head constables and two constables of the department. Besides, SP Kushinagar has sent four cops including SHO Tarya Sujan police station to police line.

New Delhi: Consumption of spurious liquor has claimed the lives of 77 people in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and Haridwar, Uttarakhand in two days. The same has also left over 40 people ill, who are currently undergoing treatments. Taking stringent action against the incident, Uttar Pradesh government has suspended 14 of its officials responsible for the killings.  The damage is worse in Uttar Pradesh, where the maximum number of people have died. As per reports, around 46 people have died in Saharanpur and around 13 lost their lives in Kushinagar.  The police have suspected presence of rat poison in the same. A probe has been launched in the case and the police have arrested a trader of hooch over the same. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered a probe into the case.  Adityanath also ordered a 15-day joint drive by excise and police officials against those involved in the spurious liquor trade. The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who died after consuming spurious liquor and help of Rs 50,000 each for those undergoing treatment in hospitals. Authorities suspended the excise inspector, two head constables and two constables of the department. Besides, SP Kushinagar has sent four cops including SHO Tarya Sujan police station to police line. Ramvriksha, 32, Bedupar village under Tarya Sujan police station died on Wednesday around 12.30 in the night and Ramnath, 45, of the same village died Thursday morning. On Tuesday night Chanchal Chauhan, 45, died after consuming the intoxicant, while Deba Nishad (55), Heera Lal Nishad (33) and Awadh Kishore Nishad had died immediately after consuming the drink on Monday.