By IANS
Mumbai : The death toll in Maharashtra spurious liquor tragedy has risen to 21, which also includes nine women, a top state official said Thursday.
The victims, from Pali village, about 125 km south of Mumbai, purchased the liquor Tuesday from a local pharmacy, Sanjeevani Medicals, the police said.
Confirming the deaths, Maharashtra Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Sunil Tatkare told IANS that the district police have launched an operatiuon tom search and seize all stocks of the poisonous spirit that led to the tragedy. Six people died on the spot, and others who consumed the spurious substance were rushed to hospitals.
“We have also stationed four ambulances which are moving along with the police teams to remote tribal hamlets to trace out more victims,” Tatkare said in Pali village.
The state government has announced compensation of Rs.100,000 to the families of each of the killed, Tatkare said. He also added that the government would conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Earlier Thursday, Inspector General (IG) of Konkan Range K.K. Pathak confirmed the death of 20 people. Nine victims have been admitted to the Alibaug hospital and two others at J.J. Hospital in Mumbai.
The police have arrested pharmacy owner Subhash Oswal and booked him under section 304 of Indian Penal Code, which is culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Pathak added that the police are trying to ascertain how many more tribals had bought and consumed the spurious spirit from the pharmacy.
Unconfirmed reports said the liquor was purchased in advance in view of the ‘dry day’ Wednesday marking the 60th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The raw spirit was bought by the locals, mainly tribals, and mixed with other ingredients to concoct a local alcoholic brew.