Daijiworld Media Network- Kasaragod (KM/NR)

Mangalore, Nov 5: The time-honoured slogan “All competitions are healthy and must be promoted” is now facing a question mark. A second precious human life was lost in the bargain.  Mavelikara of Kasargod district near here, lost his life in a ‘toddy- competition’.

The person who took the lead in this unsavoury incident has been identified as Hari Kumar (40), son of Anandan Pillai, who first died after consuming the spurious toddy.

Earlier an announcement was made that the winner of this competition would be awarded a handsome sum of money. This inspired many to participate and consume the intoxicant in large quantity. Thus, this sip of toddy for money found a second victim and made Mavelikara to taste death.

Mavelikara’s death set alarm bells ringing across to other participants in the competition, who till then were busy competing to lead over other drinkers. With this incident they quickly beat a hasty retreat and left the place under apprehension that they too might fall a victim like Hari Kumar, who faced death owing to excessive alcohol intake and subsequent intoxication.

It is also suspected that the toddy may have been toxified. The investigative machinery has been set in motion in this regard. The bodies have been referred to laboratories to reach better conclusions.