BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar on Sunday demanded a high-level probe into the deaths allegedly caused by consumption of spurious liquor in Sagar district, alleging that the tragedy showed illegal liquor trade was operating openly in the state.
Visiting the affected Banda area, Singhar said the incident exposed the alleged failure of the administration to curb the illegal liquor trade despite the Home Department being under the charge of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
“The Sagar poisonous liquor tragedy proves that the illegal liquor trade is openly operating in Madhya Pradesh. The Home Department is with the Chief Minister, yet how is this business continuing under the nose of the administration?” Singhar said.
He demanded immediate action against those responsible for the deaths as well as individuals and officials allegedly providing protection to the illegal liquor network.
“The government should immediately order a high-level investigation and take strict action against the guilty and those providing them protection,” he said.
Singhar also demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation for each family that lost a member in the tragedy and a government job for one member of every bereaved family.
He announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each for the families of the deceased from his side.
Singhar began his visit by reaching Sagar Medical College, where he met victims undergoing treatment and their family members. He enquired about their health and discussed their treatment with doctors, urging that all victims be provided the best possible medical care.
He later visited Bamura village in Banda tehsil, where five people have died in the suspected spurious liquor tragedy. He met the bereaved families, expressed his condolences and sought details about the incident.
The Congress leader subsequently visited Banda Hospital and met patients undergoing treatment and their relatives. He enquired about their condition and assured the affected families of all possible assistance.
Singhar further demanded that the state government bear the entire cost of treatment of all victims and take effective measures to dismantle the illegal liquor network to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Leader of Opposition also questioned the government over the alleged protection being provided to the illegal liquor trade and said accountability should extend to officials and other responsible persons found to have facilitated or shielded those involved.
The incident has triggered political criticism of the state government, with the opposition seeking stringent action against those allegedly involved in the manufacture and distribution of spurious liquor and those accused of enabling the network.