Andhra hooch tragedy: Toll reaches 26; 1129 cases registered, 677 arrested

Amaravati: With the hooch tragedy toll rising to 26, Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) and District Police conducted raids across the state and destroyed illicit liquor basements. The special drive was conducted under Operation Parivarthana.

A total of 1129 cases were registered and 677 accused were arrested in the last four days. During the raids, 5,76,710 liters of Fermented Jaggery wash were destroyed and 13,471 liters of ID liquor along with 68,618 Kgs of Black Jaggery were seized. Forty-seven vehicles were also seized. Of the total cases, 308 were registered in East Godavari district and 199 offenders were arrested. 188 cases were booked in Chittoor, 148 in West Godavari district, and 100 in Kurnool district.

All the hooch victims were between 35 and 65 of age. They complained of blurred vision, vomiting, incoherent talk, and stomach pain.

CM gives clarity on Jangareddygudem deaths

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said most of the deaths were due to natural reasons. He said attempts are being made to project that deaths were caused due to consumption of spurious liquor. He explained that the population of the Mandal was 48,994 according to the 2011 Census. Even if the population growth is 12%, there would be 90 deaths due to natural causes with a 2% death rate.

Jagan said 2 percent of the people in the country are dying of adulterated liquor. CM said that a special team has been formed to curb illicit liquor. In the last two years, around 13,000 cases have been registered.