Two arrested in hooch tragedy in Allahabad

LUCKNOW - Two people, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy that claimed seven lives in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad district, police said Wednesday.

Six people died after drinking illicit liquor Tuesday in Mau Aima town, some 200 km from here. Police had earlier termed the deaths as “natural” but district authorities later confirmed that spurious liquor was the cause. Another person died Wednesday afternoon.

“Of the four accused in the case, two have been arrested,” Superintendent of Police (Trans-Gomti) Vinod Mishra told reporters in Allahabad, some 200-km from Lucknow.

The prime accused, identified as Nate, is absconding.

“Investigations reveal Nate was involved in selling the spurious liquor along with his family members and relatives. Efforts are on to nab him,” added Mishra.

Meanwhile, district police and officials of the excise department, in a joint operation, recovered a huge stock of spurious liquor in Mau Aima town.

“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the pouches were brought from Jharkhand,” a police official said.

Meanwhile, four policemen and three excise officials have already been suspended for negligence, authorities said Wednesday.