BHOPAL: At least 12 people have died and more than 10 others have fallen ill after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, triggering a probe and the sealing of six liquor outlets.
The incident was reported from villages including Baraj, Ghughar and Navraj in Banda tehsil, around 30 km from Sagar district headquarters. Several villagers who consumed liquor on Saturday night developed severe headaches, vomiting and blurred vision early Sunday.They were rushed to Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital, where 12 people died despite treatment.
Methanol contamination suspected
Doctors treating the victims reported symptoms including cyanosis, in which the skin and body turn bluish, along with muscle stiffness. The chief medical officer has suspected that the liquor may have been contaminated with toxic methyl alcohol (methanol).Authorities are conducting medical examinations and investigations to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
CM orders probe
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered an investigation and directed officials to take strict action against those responsible. Six liquor shops in the surrounding areas have been sealed as a precautionary measure.
Fake liquor network under scanner
Preliminary investigation has indicated a possible link to a spurious liquor network operating from the Uttar Pradesh-Lalitpur border area.
Investigators suspect that the accused manufactured fake liquor and used counterfeit labels, bottle caps and QR codes to make the bottles resemble genuine brands. The liquor was allegedly transported by cars and motorcycles to villages along the Sagar border. Police are also probing the possible involvement of local people in the alleged racket.
