Hooch Tragedy Pics: 77 Dead; Police Conducts Crackdown on Manufacturing, Sale of Illicit Liquor

In many places, the exact reason for the deaths is yet to be ascertained pending a post-mortem report.

Meanwhile in UP, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP was encouraging people to drink as it would bring in money in the name of cow cess and people, in absence of adequate knowledge, were consuming such liquor.

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.

Earlier, Adityanath has ordered a 15-day joint drive by excise and police officials against those involved in the spurious liquor trade.

In UP’s Kushinagar, police conducted strict action against the local excise officials and a crackdown on the people behind the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor.

NEW DELHI: Consumption of spurious liquor has so far claimed at least 70 lives in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.