Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal
Bhopal, Sep 6: At least 12 people have died and several others have fallen ill after allegedly consuming spurious or toxic liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, prompting the administration to launch an investigation and seal liquor shops in the affected area.
The incident was reported from villages in Banda tehsil, including Nauraj and Ghoogra Khurd, where residents allegedly consumed liquor on Saturday night and began falling ill afterwards. Reports also identified Baraj and other nearby villages among the affected areas.
The number of deaths has varied as authorities continued screening patients and verifying cases. Initial reports put the toll at eight and nine, while subsequent reports raised it to 10, 11 and 12. A local report later claimed 14 suspected deaths, but the official cause of every death was yet to be established.
Several people who fell ill were taken to Banda Civil Hospital, while patients requiring further treatment were referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and other hospitals in Sagar. Medical teams have been deployed in the affected villages to identify people who may have consumed the suspected liquor.
District Collector Pratibha Pal visited the hospital and reviewed the condition of the patients. She directed officials to conduct an immediate investigation and ensure medical screening of people who may have consumed liquor during the previous 24 to 48 hours.
The administration has advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headache, fever or other signs of illness after consuming liquor to immediately visit the nearest health centre or Civil Hospital for examination.
Senior officials, including the Sagar Commissioner, Inspector General, Collector and Superintendent of Police, reached the affected area and met the families of victims. Police and administrative teams have also begun investigating the source of the suspected spurious liquor.
As a precautionary measure, six liquor shops in the area have been sealed and liquor samples have been collected for testing. Authorities have ordered strict legal action against those involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of illegal liquor.
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact substance responsible for the deaths. Preliminary reports have raised the possibility of toxic liquor poisoning, but the final cause is expected to be established through medical examinations, post-mortem reports and laboratory analysis of liquor samples.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav directed the concerned minister and senior officials to reach the spot and assured that the government would take the strictest possible action against those responsible.
“I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry. Our government will absolutely not tolerate such incidents,” Yadav said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Jagdish Devda also directed senior excise officials to visit the affected area and assured that those responsible would not be spared.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari criticised the state government, alleging that the incident exposed its failure to curb the illegal liquor trade in Madhya Pradesh. He demanded a judicial inquiry and action against those allegedly involved in the liquor network.
Patwari said similar incidents had occurred in Sagar in the past and accused the government of failing to act against the liquor mafia. He said those responsible should be identified and arrested quickly.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the circulation of illicit liquor in Madhya Pradesh. Authorities are continuing medical screening, investigation and sampling operations in the affected villages, while further details on the exact cause of the deaths and the source of the suspected toxic liquor are awaited.
The incident comes weeks after 13 people died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, highlighting continuing concerns over deaths linked to illegal alcohol in different parts of the country.