5 killed after consuming hooch in Vijayawada

Five persons died and 15 others were hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor at an unlicensed bar in Krishnalanka area of Vijayawada city, 275 km from here, on Monday.

The victims, all daily wage earners, consumed the unknown brand of liquor at around 8 am. While three died on the spot, two others lost their lives while undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital.

“We have sent samples of the unknown liquor to the laboratory and will initiate action if it is found illicit or spurious liquor,” Vijayawada Police Commissioner Goutam Sawang said.
State Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, who visited the bar, said: “The victims are being identified and we are sending the liquor sample for forensic analysis. We will initiate action against the culprits.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was on a visit to Vizianagaram district, spoke to Krishna District Collector Babu and directed him to shift all the victims to private hospitals for better treatment.

Local leaders alleged that the area has three unlicensed bars supplying cheap liquor, destroying the lives of daily wage earners.  Local CPM leaders have demanded an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of each of the deceased.