Hooch toll rises to 30, cough medicines blamed

The death toll caused by illicit liquor has touched 30 in Odisha on Thursday. But the government has claimed that the consumption of two cough medicines is the prime reason behind the tragedy.

More than 50 people are struggling for their life in SCB Medical Collage, Cuttack.

Citing preliminary investigation, the state government said the consumption of two medicines, namely Epee-carm and Concentrated Cinnamon, led to the deaths.

While talking to reports, Bijaya Kumar Sharma, police commissioner, Bhubaneshwar said, “As per the information available, the deaths are caused due to over dose of alcohol containing medicine. Those people who are now undergoing treatment in hospital admitted that they have consumed medicine not liquor.”

The excise commissioner Sudarsan Nayak also has the same view.

“The victims have taken two medicine-EPEE-CARM and CINNAMON, whose alcohol proportion is more than 50 pc. Further investigations are still on.” said Nayak.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

“I have ordered judicial enquiry into the matter. I have full sympathy for the families of the deceased,” said Patnaik.

A retired judge of the Orissa High Court will be probing into the matter. Police and excise department officials have been asked to take punitive action against the accused.

It is alleged that due to shortage of country made liquor Aska-40, people mostly of the poor income group, consume EPEE-CARM and CINNAMON medicine to fulfill their desire. The medicine contains 50 pc alcohol whose 100 ml bottle cost only Rs 10.

After the incident, Cuttack district administration has warned people not to consume such type of medicine without prescription.

At least 7 persons have been arrested so far. Interestingly, Baidhar Bhoi, the main culprit behind the tragedy has also died consuming this contaminated medicine.