Suspected hooch tragedy toll reaches 15

Surat, Sep 11 (PTI) With two more deaths being reportedtoday, the toll in suspected hooch tragedy at Vareli villagein the district rose to 15. In-charge district collector K Rajesh confirmed thattwo persons died in Haripura village. The state government has not officially termed theincident as a hooch tragedy and referred to it as "unnaturaldeath". "At least 15 persons have died unnatural death in Suratduring last one week," the government stated in a releaseissued today. The government will bear all expenses for the treatmentof victims admitted at different hospitals. The deaths, attributed to hooch, are being reported fromlast week, mainly from Valeri village in Palsana taluka. Rajesh had said yesterday six persons are undergoingtreatment at government and private hospitals. He had said the exact cause of the deaths is yet to beascertained, though methanol poisoning is not ruled out. The Forensic Science Laboratory at Gandhinagar wasexamining the viscera and other samples of the deceased. Meanwhile, a three-member committee, formed yesterday bythe government to probe the issue, today interacted withofficials here. The panel, headed by ADGP (police reforms) VM Pargi, alsomet some of the victims at Surat civil hospital. Pargi told reporters the committee will submit its reportto government within three days. "We are here to probe the reasons behind suspectedunnatural deaths. We held discussion with doctors as well asother officials to find out the exact cause of these deaths.We will submit our report within three days," the ADGP said. Two other members of the panel are the Director ofProhibition and Excise B K Kumar and Deputy Director ofGandhinagar-based Forensic Science Laboratory, M S Dahiya. State Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava visitedHaripura village to take stock of the situation. "It is too early to term these deaths as hooch tragedy.It’s a matter of investigation whether these villagers havedied due to spurious liquor. To find out the reasons, we haveformed a committee. Based on their report, government willtake strict action against culprits," he told reporters. However, local Congress MLA Anand Chaudhary claimed thatthe government is hiding facts from people. "Whether the government accepts or not, these villagershave died due to spurious country-made liquor, as such liquoris being sold freely in this area since long under the nose ofpolice," said Chaudhary, who represent Mandvi seat indistrict. PTI CORR PJT NSKTIR