Seven die from hooch consumption in Bengal

Seven people died on Wednesday due to consumption of hooch in West Bengal’s Nadia district. As per government estimates, 16 others were hospitalised, while local claimed that at least 30 were hospitalised.

The incident took place in the Santipur town of Nadia. Confirming the incident West Bengal’s Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is also in charge of the state’s excise department, said that the concerned officer-in-charge was removed following the incident.

“According to the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is also in charge of the home department the concerned officer in charge has been removed,” Mitra said while speaking to reporters at the state Assembly.

He also said that as per reports some material was mixed with the liquor and a probe has been initiated to find out the substance which caused the deaths. The minister announced Rs. 2 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased. Although the state government is yet to speak on the identity of the deceased, locals said that most of them belonged to financially weaker section of the society and worked in a local brick manufacturing factory.

The Opposition parties have criticised the TMC government. In December 2011 hooch consumption led to the deaths of at least 170 people in Sangrampur area.