Toll in UP hooch tragedy rises to 39

The toll in the illicit liquor tragedy at Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh rose to 39 Saturday as two more people died during treatment, officials said. The police arrested two people for supplying the toxic stuff to local vends.

The spurious liquor was supplied to three villages -- Chakia, Naranv and Adampur -- of Azamgarh district Thursday night.

The state government has already suspended 11 officials, including five policemen and six excise department officials, and charged them with dereliction of duty for not being able to check the supply of illicit liquor.

Meanwhile, one more person died in neighbouring Mau district after consuming the spurious liquor. Three others in Mahmoodabad have taken ill, and are being treated at a government medical facility.

Senior government officials said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has taken serious note of the incident, and was personally monitoring the situation.

A close aide of the chief minister told IANS that senior officials have been instructed by the chief minister to take action against all errant excise and police officials.