Five die after drinking hooch

At least five persons died today after drinking toxic liquor at Jaynagar in South 24-Parganas district, police said

They died this morning after drinking illicit country-made liquor at Belechandi village last night.

Several others have taken ill and the condition of two of them are critical. They have been admitted to National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Excise department officials and doctors have collected samples of the illicit liquor and opened a camp to treat the sick people, the police said.

In December 2011, at least 170 people died after drinking toxic alcohol at Sangrampur in the district.