Congress lashes out at UP government over hooch tragedy

The Congress state unit on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party government of turning a 'blind eye' to the sale of illicit liquor in the state and demanded a judicial probe into last week's hooch tragedy in Etah district.

Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress President Raj Babbar said it was most unfortunate that many deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor had occurred during the Akhilesh Yadav government's rule.

"Hundreds of people have died after consuming spurious liquor but nobody in the state government seems to be bothered," Babbar said.

As many as 28 persons have died after the consumption of spurious liquor in Jouhari Darwaza under Aliganj circle in Etah. The victims had consumed the liquor late Friday night.

Demanding a judicial probe into the hooch tragedy, the Congress leader said a thorough probe will expose the nexus behind the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in the state.

The party also demanded adequate compensation for the affected families.

Even as such tragedies were occurring, the Chief Minister and other Samajwadi Party leaders were busy trying to figure out ways to return to power in the 2017 assembly elections, the yesteryears actor said.

--IANS

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