Three people die after consuming hooch

Three people died while another person was admitted to hospital after consuming spurious liquior at Hatgachi village in South 24-Parganas on Sunday night. 

The deceased were identified as Jyotiram Mondal (55), Sanyasi Mondal (40) and Kartik Dhali (51). One Babla Naskar has been admitted to a nearby hospital. The victims were all residents of Bamunghata village. 

Police said the victims went to the house of Nepal Mondal at the same village and consumed hooch. According to the preliminary investigation, police came to know that Nepal used to run a hooch business from his house. The victims fell ill after consuming the liquor and later they were taken to the hospital where Jyotiram, Sanyasi and Kartik were declared brought dead, while Babla’s condition is stated to be critical. 

The local residents had put up demonstration when police reached there on Sunday night. 

They alleged that police knew that hooch business was rampant in the area but they did not take any steps to arrest the dealer. The demonstration was lifted after police assured them that they will crack down the hooch business in the area. 

Nepal Mondal, who allegedly used to run hooch business in his house, fled immediately after the incident took place. Police have detained Nepal’s father Gopal Mondal for interrogation. 

There is a strong resentment among the people in the area as the police are yet to crack down the hooch dens that are rampant across the district of South 24-Parganas. In September four people died after drinking hooch in Kakdwip. At least five people died after consuming the spurious liquor in August this year. The biggest hooch tragedy had taken place in the district in December 2011 which claimed nearly 167 lives in the district. 

Police are investing whether these people had died after consuming adulterated hooch or there was any foul play behind the death of these victims.