Five dead in Uttar Pradesh hooch tragedy

Lucknow, July 16 (IANS) At least five persons died and more than a dozen were taken ill after consuming illicit liquor in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Saturday.

Many people also lost their eyesight due to the reaction after consuming the liquor on Friday night, the police said.

Angry at the development, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday suspended the SDM, district excise officer, circle officer and the station house officer of the area.

The hooch tragedy occurred at Johari Darwaza area in Aliganj when locals consumed liquor at a late night get together, a police official told IANS.

They soon started vomiting, complained of nausea and blurred vision. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where five were declared dead.

The dead have been identified as Ram Avatar (59), Ateeq (35), Ramesh (38), Sarvesh (25) and Netrapal (35). Persons who have lost eyesight include Naresh, Vijay, Sarvesh, Kallu and Arvind.