Uttar Pradesh: Toll in hooch tragedy now 41 as police intensifies crackdown further

The toll in the hooch tragedy in Lucknow and Unnao districts today climbed to 41 with the death of three more persons even as 2,939 persons were arrested in the state-wide crackdown launched by police against sale of spurious liquor.

"Total 41 persons have died since Monday, which include 29 in Lucknow and 12 in Unnao," IG (Law and Order) A Satish Ganesh told PTI. He said that as a part of the drive 12,532 places were raided across the state during which 76,280 litres illicit liquor was recovered and 2,939 persons were arrested.

Over 100 victims of the spurious liquor tragedy were still undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the state capital. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. Excise Commissioner Anil Garg was removed by the state government after the incident and was put on the wait list.

The government has so far suspended 22 excise and police department staff, besides ordering a magisterial probe into the incident. Cases were lodged in Malihabad, Hasanganj, Aurus areas here and two persons were detained in connection with the matter.