Hooch tragedy: 16 dead in Haridwar, Saharanpur after consuming illicit liquor

As many as 16 persons have died after consuming spurious liquor in the Balupur village of Haridwar district. Ten of them died in Haridwar district while six lost their lives in the neighbouring Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. About four persons are said to be in a serious condition and several others are admitted to the hospital. Ashok Kumar, director general (DG) law and order told TOI, “People from three to four villages on the border of Haridwar and Saharanpur gathered on Thursday for a terahvi (ceremony conducted to mark the final day of mourning after a death). It seems they had country-made liquor after the ceremony, which led to their death.”

The police are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the deaths and awaiting post-mortem examination reports. It is said that the men were returning to their respective villages in Haridwar and Saharanpur after the function.

The administration has announced Rs 2 lakh relief for the kin of the victims. An inquiry has also been ordered. Several cases have been also been reported from Roorkee. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also sought a report on the matter from the district administration.

Kushinagar hooch tragedy

On Thursday, the death count in the spurious hooch case in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district rose to 10, prompting authorities to take action against nine officials. The authorities have suspended the excise inspector, two head constables and two constables of the department. Besides, SP Kushinagar has sent four cops including SHO Tarya Sujan police station to the police line.

Ramvriksha, 32, Bedupar village under Tarya Sujan police station died on Wednesday around 12.30 in the night and Ramnath, 45, of the same village died Thursday morning.

On Tuesday night Chanchal Chauhan, 45, died after consuming the intoxicant, while Deba Nishad (55), Heera Lal Nishad (33) and Awadh Kishore Nishad had died immediately after consuming the drink on Monday.

"In the post-mortem report, the cause behind the death of two people was not clear so the viscera sample has been sent to Varanasi for a chemical test to ascertain the cause of death. The post-mortem report of other bodies is awaited. SHO Tarya Sujan, Vinay Pathak along with inspector and two constables of the area have been called at police lines, SP Kushinagar Rajiv Narayan Mishra said.

(With PTI inputs)