Hooch kills 7 in Bengal

Seven people died and at least 16 were admitted in the hospitals after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in West Bengal's Nadia district, police said on Wednesday.

"Seven people have been died and 16 hospitalised from the Nrishighapur village. Locals alleged they had consumed hooch, but it can be confirmed only after medical examination," said a police officer.

The signs of mass illness were reported early on Wednesday after which a team of doctors was sent to the the spot, the officer said.

The state government ordered a CID inquiry into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

"Eleven excise officials, including deputy excise collector of Ranaghat range and eight excise constables, have been suspended," Finance and Industry Minister Amit Mitra told the state Assembly.

Mitra, who also holds charge of state Excise department, said the investigating agency would also probe whether the spurious liquor is being transited into rural Bengal from Bihar and Jharkhand.

--IANS

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