"Seven people have been died and 16 hospitalised from the Nrishighapur village. Locals alleged they had consumed hooch, but it can be confirmed only after medical examination," said a police officer.
The signs of mass illness were reported early on Wednesday after which a team of doctors was sent to the the spot, the officer said.
The state government ordered a CID inquiry into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
"Eleven excise officials, including deputy excise collector of Ranaghat range and eight excise constables, have been suspended," Finance and Industry Minister Amit Mitra told the state Assembly.
Mitra, who also holds charge of state Excise department, said the investigating agency would also probe whether the spurious liquor is being transited into rural Bengal from Bihar and Jharkhand.
(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
