Lucknow, Jan 19 (IANS): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday served notice to senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh government, taking suo motu cognizance of the hooch tragedy in Unnao and Malihabad that claimed 49 lives.

Terming it a "serious issue of human rights violation", the panel issued notices to Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan, Inspector General of Police Subhash Chandra and District Magistrate Rajshekhar, seeking their response to the incident within a fortnight.

The tragedy which took place last week has so far claimed 49 lives and more than 100 people are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the state capital.

The condition of over a dozen patients, who consumed spurious liquor, continues to remain serious and they have been put on life support systems. Many victims have also lost their eyesight permanently.

The state government has since ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also ordered the suspension of 20 officials including administrative, police and excise officials.

This move came in the wake of reports that many excise officials had managed to remain put at the same place for years and developed a nexus with the liquor syndicate.