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Andhra Pradesh: Toll in illicit liquor tragedy rises to 14
Vijayawada, January 1, 2012
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The death toll in yesterday's illicit liquor tragedy in this agriculture and business centre in coastal Andhra Pradesh rose to 14 today with the death of 10 more people since last night.
The ten succumbed in a private hospital here where they were undergoing treatment after consuming country-made liquor at Porata Nagar Thanda in Mylavaram mandal in Krishna district, about 40 km from here.
The deceased included three women. The condition of four of the 14 being treated in private hospitals and the Government General Hospital was said to be very critical, official sources said.
Mylavaram MLA and District Telugu Desam Party(TDP) President D Umamaheswara Rao, who led a protest in front of the Excise and Prohibition office with the bodies of the deceased last night, was arrested early in the morning. The MLA was shifted to his residence in Gollapudi, near here and placed under house arrest.
Officials said the MLA was confined on instructions from higher police officials as a precautionary measure as the police got information that the TDP leaders were planning a large-scale agitation, demanding the resignation of the Excise Minister.
Meanwhile, a large number of people led by senior CPI(M)leaders Madhu, Poturi Ramaiah and women activists and leaders of AIDWA were holding a protest in front of the hospital here, demanding the suspension of the excise officials and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of each of the victims.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident and Circle Inspectors and sub-inspectors of excise department were placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.
Excise Commissioner Samir Sharma was expected to visit the village and make inquiries with the people about the hooch tragedy today.
Talking to the media, the TDP MLA who was confined to his residence, described the house arrest as a day of emergency. He held APCC President Botsa Satyanarayana and Excise Minister M Venkataramana responsible for brewing illicit liquor in the state.
The TDP MLA recalled that recently APCC president admitted that he had liquor business. This would demoralise the excise officials and asked how could the lower cadre excise police try to prevent sale of llegal liquor.
NNN
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