Bhopal/Sagar, Sep 7 (IANS) The Congress on Monday stepped up its attack on the Madhya Pradesh government over the Sagar hooch tragedy, alleging a nexus between the liquor mafia and the administration and questioning the sudden change in an Excise Department order on a liquor brand linked to the deaths.
Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly, Umang Singhar, who visited the affected villages on Sunday and met families of the victims, demanded that the investigation trace the entire network involved in the manufacture, bottling, labelling, transportation and distribution of the suspected spurious liquor.
The Congress leader particularly questioned the handling of ‘Sagar Gold’, alleging that the Excise Department initially ordered on September 6 that its stock be sealed, seized and sent for forensic examination, but revised the order later the same day.
“Why was the order changed within a few hours? What changed that the need for sealing, seizure and FSL examination was removed? Under whose pressure was the order changed?” Singhar asked.
He also alleged methanol contamination in the liquor and demanded that investigators establish its source and identify those responsible. Singhar sought compensation of at least Rs 25 lakh for each deceased person’s family, saying several victims were poor labourers and sole breadwinners.
MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari alleged that the tragedy exposed the failure of the police and excise machinery to check the illegal liquor trade. He demanded that the role of officials, suppliers and distributors be investigated and responsibility fixed for any negligence.
Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath alleged that questions had been raised about the liquor brands linked to the Sagar deaths even before the tragedy, but claimed the government had given them a clean chit. “Issuing a clean chit to toxic liquor indicates a secret alliance between the liquor mafia and the BJP government. This is not merely an accident but a case of homicide resulting from administrative negligence,” Nath alleged.
The Congress also questioned the suspected supply link with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and sought an investigation into allegations of politically connected persons being associated with the illegal liquor trade.
Deputy Chief Minister and Sagar district in-charge minister Rajendra Shukla visited Sagar on Sunday and reviewed the situation and visited the ICU and critical care wards. He directed officials to intensify the crackdown on illicit liquor, inspect all liquor shops, verify stocks and investigate the illegal trade.
“Strict action will be taken against officials and employees found negligent or responsible for lapses,” Shukla said in a statement on Monday. He also shared that a case had been registered against 20 named accused at Banda police station, with 10 arrested so far.
Another case was registered against 10 accused at Vinayaka police station.
He also shared that 84 people were undergoing treatment after consuming spurious liquor in Sagar district, while around a dozen people had died in the tragedy in Banda tehsil.
–IANS
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