Five dead after consuming liquor in Andhra Pradesh, ex-gratia announced

Vijayawada: Five persons on Monday died and 15 others were hospitalised after they consumed spurious liquor from an outlet here.

"Five persons have died. The condition of two-three others is critical. They are on ventilator support. They have been shifted to different hospitals for better treatment," Ravindra, who visited the government hospital here to enquire about the condition of those taken ill, Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister K Ravindra told reporters.

The victims, mostly daily labourers, consumed liquor allegedly from the outlet at Krishnalanka in the morning and developed complications soon after.

Those running the outlet are being arrested, he said adding the guilty would be brought to book.

The Minister said the liquor samples from the shop have been sent for examination.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu tonight visited the government hospital to enquire about the condition of those taken ill and later announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

Naidu, who was touring Srikakulam district at the time of the incident, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy.

He said the government will act tough against those responsible for the tragedy and ensure that such incidents do not recur. The Chief Minister also spoke to officials from Revenue, Police and Excise Departments.

City Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang said the police would conduct a thorough inquiry.

Ruling TDP MLA Gadde Rammohan visited the spot and BJP and CPM leaders staged a sit-in near it.

They demanded that the government conduct a probe into the supply of spurious liquor and impose restrictions on the sale of alcohol in residential areas. YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sought action against those responsible for it.