Bhopal/Sagar, Sep 9 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths allegedly caused by illegal liquor in Sagar district.
In a late-night action, the Chief Minister also announced administrative changes, including the appointment of a new divisional commissioner and Inspector General, and directed that strict action be taken against those responsible for the incident in the Banda-Shahgarh area.
Senior IAS officer Dilip Kumar has been appointed as the new Sagar divisional commissioner, while senior IPS officer Irshad Wali has been appointed Inspector General of Sagar division, according to the state government.
Yadav directed officials to ensure accountability for any negligence or irregularities and said no person found guilty should be spared.
The action came after the Chief Minister visited Bundelkhand Medical College in Sagar, where he met patients undergoing treatment and interacted with their family members. He personally enquired about the condition of those admitted to the hospital and assured their relatives that the government stood with them.
During a meeting with police and administrative officials and public representatives at the medical college, Yadav directed authorities to maintain strict law and order and launch an intensive investigation into illegal liquor activities in Sagar and adjoining and border areas.
“Ensure strict action against those responsible. No guilty person should be spared,” he said. The Chief Minister directed officials to seize illegal liquor and related material and conduct prompt investigations wherever there was suspicion or any possibility of illegal activities.
He said the government was following a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and anti-social activities, while stressing that action should be impartial and transparent and no innocent person should be targeted. “I have given the administration a free hand to take the strictest possible action against those involved, including those carrying out illegal encroachments or running such illegal empires,” he said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.
Yadav also directed officials to keep a close watch on people spreading rumours through social media and other platforms with an intention to disturb peace and communal harmony, and take strict action against them.
On the wider issue of substance abuse, the Chief Minister also called for an intensive de-addiction campaign with the participation of religious institutions, social organisations and voluntary groups. “We will need collective social commitment to deal with this problem,” he said.
–IANS
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