Hyderabad, Sept 17: The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh has risen to four with three more people succumbing in hospital today, police said. Fifty-five persons were hospitalised after consuming adulterated toddy at Khillaghanpur village in the district last evening. Four persons, including a woman, died while the condition of all others, admitted to a government hospital at Mahaboobnagar, was stable, district Suprintendent of Police R K Meena told a news agency over phone.
The victims had developed complications soon after consuming spurious toddy in the village, about 120 kms from here, and were shifted to the district headquarter hospital in buses and private vehicles.
The panchayatraj minister N Janardhan Reddy, who hails from the district, had rushed to the hospital last night to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, police have arrested toddy shop owners Narasaiah Goud and Ramachandraiah Goud and booked cases against them.

The state excise minister T Seetaram has ordered suspension of local excise circle inspector and sub-inspector for failing to prevent sale of spurious toddy.

The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the families of the hooch victims.

Bureau Report