Vijayawada January 03: Three more peo were arrested by the excise and enforcement officials in connection with the Poratanagar Thanda illicit arrack incident, which so far has claimed 19 lives. Police said on a tip off, the excise and enforcement officials raided a house at Nagireddy Gudem village in Chintapudi Mandal in West Godavari district and arrested three persons- Ajmera Bhukya, his wife Hassena and his son Chandu. They had taken shelter in their relative s house. They were brought to the city and were being questioned about the illicit arrack incident. Meanwhile, as many as 20 victims, being treated in various hospitals here, were recuperating. Except two, all were out of danger, hospital sources said. Addressing a press conference along with two Congress MLA, Secondary Education Minister K Parthasarathi alleged that the offenders in the illicit arrack incident were enjoying patronage of some Telugu Desam Party leaders. The minister said D Umameshwara Rao, Telugu Desam party MLA of Mylavaram constituency, where, the incident took place, should owe responsibility for the major tragedy. When illicit arrack was being brewed and sold indiscriminately in the Constitueny, what was the MLA doing, the Minister asked.
—Agencies