Suspected hooch tragedy toll reaches 15

With two more deaths being reported today, the toll in suspected hooch tragedy at Vareli village in the district rose to 15.
In-charge district collector K Rajesh confirmed that two persons died in Haripura village.
The state government has not officially termed the incident as a hooch tragedy and referred to it as "unnatural death".
"At least 15 persons have died unnatural death in Surat during last one week," the government stated in a release issued today.
The government will bear all expenses for the treatment of victims admitted at different hospitals.
The deaths, attributed to hooch, are being reported from last week, mainly from Valeri village in Palsana taluka.

Rajesh had said yesterday six persons are undergoing treatment at government and private hospitals.

He had said the exact cause of the deaths is yet to be ascertained, though methanol poisoning is not ruled out.
The Forensic Science Laboratory at Gandhinagar was examining the viscera and other samples of the deceased.
Meanwhile, a three-member committee, formed yesterday by the government to probe the issue, today interacted with officials here.
The panel, headed by ADGP (police reforms) VM Pargi, also met some of the victims at Surat civil hospital.
Pargi told reporters the committee will submit its report to government within three days.

"We are here to probe the reasons behind suspected unnatural deaths. We held discussion with doctors as well as other officials to find out the exact cause of these deaths. We will submit our report within three days," the ADGP said.
Two other members of the panel are the Director of Prohibition and Excise B K Kumar and Deputy Director of Gandhinagar-based Forensic Science Laboratory, M S Dahiya.
State Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava visited Haripura village to take stock of the situation.
"It is too early to term these deaths as hooch tragedy. It's a matter of investigation whether these villagers have died due to spurious liquor. To find out the reasons, we have formed a committee. Based on their report, government will take strict action against culprits," he told reporters.

However, local Congress MLA Anand Chaudhary claimed that the government is hiding facts from people.
"Whether the government accepts or not, these villagers have died due to spurious country-made liquor, as such liquor is being sold freely in this area since long under the nose of police," said Chaudhary, who represent Mandvi seat in district.