BHOPAL: The death toll in the Sagar hooch tragedy rose to 12 on Monday after another victim died, while around 30 people remained under medical observation, including two reported to be in critical condition, officials said.
Police have so far arrested 14 of the 30 people named as accused in FIRs registered over the incident as authorities intensified action against those allegedly involved in the illicit liquor trade.
Sagar Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Shashindra Chouhan said three separate FIRs had been registered based on complaints filed by relatives of the victims.
The tragedy came to light on Sunday after 11 people died and 54 others fell ill following the alleged consumption of spurious liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil, around 30 km from Sagar district headquarters. Several of those taken ill reported symptoms including blurred vision and dizziness.
Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal said another person died in the early hours of Monday, taking the toll to 12. She said 25 to 30 people were currently under medical observation, with two in critical condition.
One patient was airlifted to Bhopal on Sunday for specialised treatment, the collector said.
Of the 30 accused named in the FIRs, 14 have been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects, Pal said.
Following the incident, police and the excise department launched an extensive crackdown on suspected bootleggers. Revenue officials, accompanied by village representatives, were conducting door-to-door checks to ascertain whether residents were in possession of liquor bottles.
Police are also probing a suspected connection between individuals in Lalitpur in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and the local liquor contractor, Chouhan said.
Pal had said on Sunday that the preliminary investigation suggested that the spurious liquor was supplied from Lalitpur.
“There is a gang in Lalitpur that supplies this kind of poisonous liquor. Since this area is adjacent to Uttar Pradesh, this has come to light in the preliminary investigation,” she said.
The district administration has urged anyone who consumed liquor and subsequently developed symptoms such as vomiting, headache or fever to immediately approach a health centre and undergo medical examination.
As part of the action following the tragedy, three excise officials and two police personnel have been suspended.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered an inquiry into the incident and said those found responsible would face action.