Ranchi, Sep 9 (IANS): The shutdown called by the Congress here on Saturday to protest the recent deaths from spurious liquor evoked a mixed response.

Police arrested over 70 Congress supporters as a preventive measure.

The majority of the schools and shops remained closed in the state capital. Very few vehicles were seen on the roads here in comparison to normal days.

"People are supporting the shutdown called by the Congress. People of the state are worried over the deaths taking place after consumption of spurious liquor," Jharkhand Congress General Secretary Kishore Sahdeo told IANS.

At least 22 people, including two Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) personnel, have died in the last one week in Ranchi after consuming spurious liquor.

People who died had purchased liquor from a private person. Some JAP personnel were also involved in selling liquor. Jharkhand Police have suspended 15 JAP personnel, who were found selling liquor to the people. One senior JAP constable has also been arrested.

People here generally prefer to buy liquor from private persons as the government shops are always over-crowded. 

The call for imposing a complete liquor ban in the state has gathered momentum after the recent deaths.