11 Die in MP's Sagar Hooch Tragedy

A tragic incident occurred in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, where 11 people lost their lives after consuming illegal spurious liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil. According to collector Pratibha Pal, the death toll may rise further as some of the hospitalised persons are in critical condition.

The incident came to light in the early hours of Sunday, and since then, higher officials and political leaders have rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced a probe into the incident and has assured that stringent action will be taken against those responsible.

The district administration has sealed seven liquor shops in the affected area as a precaution and has ordered immediate sampling. Around 25 people have been rushed from Banda Civil Hospital to other hospitals for advanced healthcare. The collector said that screening is underway, and people complaining of fever and headache are being shifted to the government-run Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital.

Sagar chief medical and health officer Devesh Pateria stated that while the patients' symptoms could indicate methyl alcohol poisoning, the exact cause has not yet been confirmed. He added that teams of doctors and nurses are conducting door-to-door checks and identifying affected patients in three affected villages.

The administration has appealed to people who had consumed liquor and were experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headache, or fever to immediately visit the nearest health centre and undergo a medical examination. One person has been airlifted to Bhopal for treatment.

In the wake of the incident, four excise department personnel and two police personnel have been removed from their posts. Excise commissioner Deepak Saxena has suspended three officials, while one official has been attached to the headquarters. The police department has also suspended two officials with immediate effect in connection with this matter.

The incident has raised concerns about the availability of spurious liquor in the area and the need for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent such incidents. The government has assured that it will not tolerate such incidents and will take action against those responsible.

The situation is being closely monitored, and medical teams remain continuously deployed on the ground to handle the situation. The exact cause of the deaths is yet to be confirmed, but the symptoms suggest methyl alcohol poisoning.

In conclusion, the hooch tragedy in Sagar district has claimed 11 lives and hospitalised 84 people. The government has announced a probe and has assured that stringent action will be taken against those responsible. The incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent such incidents and the importance of providing timely medical attention to those affected.