-OH factor claims 21 lives in West Midnapore: INDIA

At least 21 people died and more than 200 fell ill

after consuming illicit liquor in West Midnapore’s Sahid Matangini block on Monday.

While West Midnapore DM Chhoten Lama confirmed 20 deaths, unofficially the figure stood at over 30. Another person died at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital late on Monday. Lama feared the figure could rise alarmingly as many of the victims were in a critical condition. Several of the seriously ill were referred to SSKM.

Three of the victims — Tarapada Maity, Sukumar Poria and Santosh Maity — died late on Sunday. But the matter came to light only on Monday morning, when hundreds were rushed to the zilla sadar hospital in Tamluk.

Hospital officials said 48 patients had been admitted and 147 kept under observation. “At least 30 have died and 30 persons have been sent to Kolkata in a critical condition,” an official said.

In a knee-jerk reaction, the district police demolished a few outlets at Ramtarak Hat and Kakatia Bazar. “The liquor is supplied from hooch dens in Shawtal Chowk and Shitalapur. Late-night raids will be conducted there,” said a senior district police officer. However, no arrests had been made till late at night.

Doctors at the hospital said they were expecting more patients. “Primary investigation revealed that the hooch was made from branches of a ‘special species of tree’. The peddlers had mixed carbide powder in the liquor, making it more toxic,” one of them said.

On January 4 this year, 27 people died and several fell ill after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Kidderpore. Finance and excise minister Asim Dasgupta had then showcaused three officers of the excise department and city police. Six people were arrested. var zz=0;var sldsh=0; var bellyaddiv = '

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