Hooch toll in Bharatpur reaches 7, inquiry ordered
Condition of three people critical, excise commissioner visits Bharatpur village
BHARATPUR/ JAIPUR: The death toll in hooch tragedy at Bharatpur has reached seven after four more people died during treatment, while condition of three others is critical, officials said on Thursday.
The district collector has formed a committee to investigate into the matter.
State health minister Dr Subhash Garg and state excise department commissioner Jogaram reached Bharatpur to enquire into the incident.
On Tuesday evening, around a dozen people had consumed illicit country-made liquor at Chak Samari village in the district, following which their health deteriorated. They were rushed to Rupwas community health centre, where two of them were declared brought dead. Five others died during treatment, officials said.
The deceased were identified as Pappu Kushwaha, Maangi Kushwaha, Kampotar Kushwaha, Ramjeet Kushwaha, Vasudev Kushwaha, Padam Singh and Mangilal. Santosh, Lallu Ram and Ravi were referred to Jaipur on Thursday morning, after their condition deteriorated, officials said.
“Seven people have died so far, while condition of three people is critical, who have been sent to Jaipur for treatment. The reason behind the incident is poisonous liquor,” said Nathmal Didel, district collector, Bharatpur.
“Police and excise department officials were directed to trace illegal liquor selling points to take action against them. Prima facie, incident took place due to (consumption of) poisonous liquor, but exact reason will be known after the post mortem reports, “Didel said.
Earlier, Bharatpur superintendent of police Devendra Kumar Bishnoi and Bharatpur range inspector general of police Prassana Kumar Khamesara visited the village to enquire into the incident.
Villagers accused the district administration of not paying heed to their demand for action against the sale of illicit liquor in the area. “We approached officials many times to request action against the sale of illegal liquor, but no action was taken,” said a villager, on condition of anonymity.
Principal medical officer Dr Navdeep Saini said that two people had died before reaching the health centre, while eight were admitted to the district hospital, where five of them lost their lives and three were referred to Jaipur. Symptoms of poisonous alcohol were seen in them, he added.
Didel said the state government has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the sick people.
JAIPUR: Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said on Thursday that after the formation of the state Congress executive committee, political appointments will be done this month to reward party workers.
“We welcome the new, compact and comprehensive team formed by Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken and party’s state president Govind Singh Dotasara. As decided, political appointments in boards will be done in January after discussing with everybody. The government has completed two years and it is the time to reward the hardworking party workers,” said Pilot.
“We should not forget that we were reduced to 21 (assembly) seats in 2013 and we bounced back with full majority because of these party workers who worked so hard,” he said. “The sacrifice of workers at a time when BJP was in power should be rewarded. This is time to appreciate these workers. Not only post but also respect and appreciation is what the Congress
workers are demanding.”
Pilot supported the farmers’ reaction to the Supreme Court’s orders on three farm laws. “Government should leave its stubbornness and withdraw the farm laws. Also, the questions raised by the famers on the panel formed by court are very valid.”
Meanwhile, state BJP president Satish Poonia said, “The ideology of our party and the good governance of the government at the Centre are flying high and people across the country have accepted that.”