By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Seven tribals have died and three have been hospitalised in critical condition after they consumed home-made rice liquor, locally known as Tendom.
The incident occurred Wednesday in Metelguda village of Malkangiri district, 550 km from the state capital.
According to Y. Jagannath Rao, inspector-in-charge Malkangiri police station, local resident Mala Tawanga had organised a feast in his home to celebrate Nua Khai, a festival observed after the harvest of paddy. There the victims consumed the liquor.
Five died on the spot while two others died in the hospital.
Debi Prasad Mishra, Orissa’s minister of state for excise, denied that the deaths of the tribals were due to consumption of a spurious liquor.
He said that the tribals had consumed home brewed liquor only. He added that the collector and the police chief of the district would give a detailed report later.