11 dead, over 30 hospitalized after consuming suspected illicit liquor in Madhya Pradesh

villagers died and others were hospitalized after consuming suspected illicit liquor

BHOPAL: 11 people from four villages in Sagar district died while over 30 hospitalised after allegedly consuming illicit liquor on Saturday night, while three others were hospitalised in critical condition, police said on Sunday. The victims were from Ghughar, Nauraj, Baraj and nearby villages. They were brought to Banda Civil Hospital after their health deteriorated, where doctors declared them dead. Sagar SP Anurag Sujania said eight deaths had been reported so far, while three people were undergoing treatment in critical condition. He said the consumption of suspected toxic liquor was the preliminary cause of the deaths. Reacting to the deaths, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav said the government would take strict action and order an inquiry into the incident. Yadav said, “I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry. Our government will absolutely not tolerate such incidents.” Collector Pratibha Pal reached the hospital after receiving information about the incident. Medical teams have been deployed and the administration is closely monitoring the situation. Pal appealed to people who had consumed alcohol in the past 24 to 48hours, especially those experiencing symptoms associated with toxic liquor poisoning, to undergo immediate medical screening. She added that they can approach local medical teams or visit Banda Civil Hospital for examination.