Naveen orders judicial probe as hooch toll touches 29

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered a judicial probe into the hooch tragedy as death toll due to consumption of spurious liquor has mounted to 29 with 52 others still ailing.

The incident has caught the ruling party on the wrong foot at a time when campaign for the impending panchayat polls beginning February 11 has reached its full crescendo.

“I have ordered judicial enquiry into the matter. I have full sympathy for the families of the deceased,” said Patnaik.

A U Singh Deo, the state excise minister said, “The incident is very unfortunate. Our officials are on the job and we are awaiting a detailed report on the matter. After receipt of the report, appropriate action will be taken.”

 

Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said, “We have made arrangements for treatment of the ailing persons. Separate wards have been created for them. The owners of units manufacturing such liquor have been arrested. Police as well as excise department officials have rushed to the spot and efforts are underway to nab the other accused.”

A retired judge of the Orissa High Court will be probing into the matter. Police and excise department officials have been asked to take punitive action against the accused.

Not satisfied with the announcement of a judicial probe, the Opposition political parties have demanded resignation of the Chief Minister as well as excise minister on the issue.

“The judicial probe is not going to be of any help. Our demand is that the Chief Minister should resign on the matter,” said state BJP president Jual Oram.

“The BJD government should step down on moral grounds as so many people have died after consuming spurious liquor,” said Orissa Congress president Niranjan Pattnaik.

Most of the victims of the hooch tragedy were daily wage earners and were engaged in a brick kiln near Cuttack.

The labourers complained of chest and eye pain after consuming liquor on Monday night. Many of them were admitted to SCB Medical College-Cuttack in a critical condition.

All the victims had consumed liquor procured from a joint in Mahidharpada area of Cuttack district on Monday, sources said. Blood samples of the ailing people have been sent to the state forensic laboratory, said Bhubunanda Moharana, the Emergency Officer of the hospital.