By IANS,
Kolkata : A week after one of India’s worst hooch tragedies unfolded in West Bengal that claimed the lives of at least 171 people, hooch sellers in South 24 Parganas district Wednesday sought a financial package from the Mamata Banerjee government.
At least 171 people – mostly masons, labourers and hawkers – perished after consuming spurious liquor at shanties near Sangrampur railway station of South 24 Parganas district Dec 13-14.
The moonshine sellers have constituted a committee “Jiban Sangram Committee” and put up posters in some railway stations adjacent to Sangrampur.
“We don’t want to sell country liquor any more. Give us a financial package like the one you have given to the Maoists and even KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organisation) separatists,” read some posters.
The hooch sellers have also sought pardon from Chief Minister Banerjee saying “when Maoists who have killed so many innocent people can be given such a package, we can expect the same from our chief minister”.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, angry people have been dismantling illegal liquor dens and distilleries across the state.