Very strong action to be taken in hooch tragedy: Naveen

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said "very strong" action would be taken against those responsible for the hooch tragedy, which has claimed 33 lives in Cuttack and Khurda districts.

He said this on a visit to S C B Medical College Hospital where he enquired about the health condition of hooch-affected people and saw the condition of the alleged rape victim from Pipili admitted in the ICU.

Accompanied by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya, the Chief Minister rushed to the hospital hours after Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik and other senior opposition leaders met the affected people.

During the visit, Patnaik spoke to relatives of patients and enquired whether they were facing any difficulty in the hospital. The Chief Minister also suggested them to contact hospital authorities if they require any more help.

Besides announcing a judicial probe into the incident, Patnaik had announced free treatment for the hooch affected patients.

The Chief Minister, who was earlier criticised for not visiting the alleged rape and attempt to murder victim of Pipili during his previous visit to the city, today went to the central ICU at the hospital.

The victim has been under treatment here since January 7 as per the direction of the Orissa High Court.