BERHAMPUR: A 60-year-old man from Jenapur, near Chikiti, passed away on Tuesday night while receiving treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital. He was among 20 individuals who fell ill after allegedly consuming “spurious” liquor at Maoundpur village under Ganjam district’s K. Nuagaon police station limits on Monday.
Suchitra Dash, the superintendent of the medical college and hospital, said, “He has been undergoing treatment in the ICU since Monday night.He has also suffered from some other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. He was expired during the treatment at 12.30 am.”
She said that 14 other people were also being treated at the hospital due to suspected consumption of tainted liquor, with two of them in critical condition in the ICU.
The deceased’s family members blocked the road at Chikiti, demanding compensation from the government. Over 20 people from Jenapur, Maoundapur, and Karabalua had fallen ill after consuming country-made liquor from an illegal vendor on Monday.
They were initially admitted to the community health center in Chikiti before being referred to the medical college and hospital later that night.
In response to the incident, police and excise personnel conducted joint raids in the area to crack down on illegal country-made liquor units. Sarthak Sarangi, SP (Berhampur), said, “We have arrested at least six persons and destroyed huge quantities of raw material near Digapahandi area during the joint raids conducted by the police and excise personnel.”
Among those arrested was Surendra Mallick, a key accused in the hooch incident who allegedly supplied the country-made liquor.
Sarangi added that raids were ongoing in nearby areas to shut down illegal liquor manufacturing units.