22 dead, several critical in Bihar's Motihari, villagers raise suspicion over spurious liquor Motihari (Bihar):The death toll in the Hootch tragedy in Motihari in the dry state of Bihar has gone up to 22, claimed unofficial sources. Locals alleged that the deaths have taken place due to the consumption of spurious liquor adding that family members of several diseased have cremated the bodies in a hurry fearing police action.
They also said that the death toll is likely to increase further as several people are undergoing treatment in critical condition at different places. Locals said that the series of deaths started on Saturday Harsiddhi police station area on Thursday night and is continuing on Saturday.
However, Jayank Kant, DIG, Bettiah Range said that 10 including two people are critical and six persons have died so far. " Turkaulia's Lakshmipur is the hot spot. Seven people have been arrested in relation to the case," he added.
Sources said that out of the 22 people who died so far 11 people have died in Laxmipur village of Turkaulia police station area, 3 in Harsiddhi, 3 in Paharpur and 5 in Sugauli. But there is no official confirmation so far.
While 13 people have died in the Laxmipur village of the Turkaulia police station area, three persons have died in the Harsiddhi police station area and the death toll in the Paharpur police station area currently stands at three. As for the Sugauli police station area, five persons have died so far.
However, doctors maintain that the patients were suffering from food poisoning and diarrhea. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination and the actual cause of death will be ascertained only after the pathologists furnish their investigation reports, the doctors said.
Sources said that Naval Das and his son Parmendra Das died on Thursday in Math Lohiyar which falls under the Harsiddhi police station area limits. The deaths sparked tension among the villagers who suspected that the duo consumed spurious liquor.
First Naval Das died and after four hours, Parmendra Das was also declared dead by the doctors. Naval's daughter-in-law was also admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Villagers alleged that the bodies were cremated in a hurry by the family members as they feared the intervention of the administration.
" Nothing is confirmed yet. The investigation will be done. Visra has been kept safe. Two people have been referred to Muzaffarpur but the reason behind their illness is yet to be ascertained. The symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. We will be able to say something clearly only after the investigation report arrives, " said Anjani Kumar, Civil surgeon.
Asked about the incident, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that " it is an extremely sad incident. I was in another meeting. I have sought detailed information about the incident."
