NHRC takes cognizance of hooch tragedy in UP

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of reports about death of 150 men in Pusaina village of Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh in the past 15 years due to consumption of spurious liquor.

It has called for a detailed report from the Yogi Adityanath government within four weeks, taking note of a media report indicating failure on part of the state authorities in taking lawful action against the culprits.

“The report should be comprehensive, covering the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the state agencies along with status of benefits of the social welfare schemes provided to the aggrieved families,” the right panel said in its notice to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary.

Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand recently witnessed a major hooch tragedy in which at least 100 people died.

“The illegal business of hooch has been trading in the area for the years together as mentioned in the news report and no action seems to have been taken, to address the core issue,” the rights panel observed, referring to media reports.