One more dies in Prayagraj, death toll rises to 16
PRAYAGRAJ: One more person allegedly died due to consumption of spurious liquor in transGanga region of Prayagraj. With this the total number of deaths related to illicit liquor has risen to 16 in the district.
The deceased identified as Rambabu died late Tuesday night at SRN hospital. A resident of Handia area, Rambabu was ill since he consumed illicit liquor some days back and was admitted to SRN hospital for treatment by police, SP (trans-Ganga) Dhawal Jaiswal said. Kotwali police has sent the body for autopsy, he added.
Relatives cremated the bodies of some persons when they died after consuming illegal liquor. However, police sprang into action when more deaths were reported from some villages in Handia and Baharia areas of the district during the past week. Police carried out raids and arrested many people for supplying hooch to villagers. Those arrested included a woman, identified as Vimlesh. Gangster act would be slapped against those involved in illicit liquor manufacturing and supply in the region, police said.
8 held with illicit liquor in Kaushambi
Kaushambi police on Tuesday night recovered large quantity of illegal liquor along with material used in its manufacturing and packaging. Police arrested nine persons involved in the illegal business. They confessed to have been involved in supplying illegal liquor in the region, police said.
SP Kaushambi Ramesh Patel said many teams have been formed to trace and arrest persons involved in making and supplying of illicit liquor in the district. On Tuesday, two teams carried out raids in Manjhanpur, Chayal and other areas and nabbed eight persons of different gangs. Teams seized 363 bottles of illicit liquor, 20 litres of spirit, Rs 1750 in cash, a car, bikes and mobiles from the accused.
The accused have pasted label of a branded company on bottles of illicit liquor to sell them in the market on high rates. The questioning from the accused revealed that the illegal liquor was smuggled to be used during Holi and panchayat polls. Those arrested were identified as Ajay, Koyal Singh, Raju Singh, Angad Singh, Sanjay, Ashok Shukla, Alok Singh and Manoj Singh.
Police teams are carrying out regular combing of remote rural areas and are also taking help of villagers to identify those involved in illicit liquor trade. Strict action will be taken against those found involved in illicit liquor manufacturing and supply, the SP added.
House of liquor mafia demolished
Police and administrative officials on Wednesday, demolished the house of a liquor mafia Shyam Babu Jaiswal, who was named in connection with the deaths of seven villagers due to consumption of illicit liquor in Phulpur area four months back.
The villagers in Amilia, Khansar, Lawan, Konar, Arwasi and Agarpatti have purchased liquor from a licensed shop owned by Shyam Babu. Investigations revealed that he was selling illicit liquor at licensed shop.
Administration carried out enquiry about his properties which he has illegally earned. On Wednesday, on the instructions of district magistrate Shyam Babu’s house was demolished under Gangster Act.