Bengal hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 173, 18 arrested

Canning (West Bengal): With two more deaths being reported today in the worst-ever hooch tragedy in West Bengal, the toll rose to 173, officials said. At the Diamond Harbour sub-divisional hospital, two of the victims passed away while 10 were released today. Ninety-six patients were released yesterday while 16 are still admitted there, hospital sources said. In Kolkata’s Bangur Hospital, National Medical College Hospital and Behala’s Vidyasagar Hospital, 60 hooch victims are being treated. [caption id=“attachment_158979” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“173 people have died so far in the state’s worst-ever hooch tragedy. PTI”] [/caption] The victims, most of them being labourers, rickshaw pullers and hawkers, fell ill after consuming spurious liquor from several illegal joints on Tuesday night. Preliminary investigations suggest that they died due to methyl alcohol toxicity which led to respiratory and cardiac failure. Arrested hooch manufacturer Rafi-ul-Naskar was produced in the court today who has been given a police remand of 14 days. A total of 18 people have been arrested in the case so far, police said they are searching for another accused Noor Islam Fakir. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced a CID inquiry into the tragedy after which a five-member CID team has been visiting the spot daily to investigate the case since Thursday. PTI