Malappuram: Eight more persons died after
consuming illicit liquor since midnight last night taking the
toll to 23 in the twin hooch tragedy in the district as more
suspected victims were taken to hospitals today, officials
said.
Deputy Excise Commissioner K R Jayan and Assistant Excise
Commissioner K Mohammed Rashid were suspended in connection
with the incident, they said.
Kozhikode Medical College Hospital sources told PTI that
nearly 150 people who had consumed the illicit liquor were
treated there. The condition of three of them was serious.
Nearly 30 people got treatment in various other hospitals,
including Majeri and Nilambur taluk hospitals, they said.
Excise Commissioner S Subbaiah, who visited Vaniyambalam
in Vandoor, said the preliminary report on the incident would
be submitted to the government on September 13.
According to preliminary assessment of forensic experts,
the toddy supplied by the shop in Kuttippuram could have been
mixed with methanol.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had yesterday announced a
judicial probe into the tragedy and directed the Home
Department to take effective steps to bring the culprits to
book.
-PTI
