Ahmedabad, July 09: The Modi government in Gujarat has landed in deep trouble over the hooch tragedy with the death toll rising to 69.
According to reports, seventeen more people have died during treatment at various hospitals in the city after consuming spurious liquor since last night.
Although, the authorities continue to claim that the death toll is 65, but media reports have suggested that the toll has reached to 69.
Coming under fire from the Opposition on the issue, the Gujarat government has already suspended and transferred six police officials including two DySP rank officers and four PIs.
The BJP government has also announced a Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court judge Justice Kamal Mehta.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has called for a bandh in Ahmedabad and Odhav today.
Yesterday, Police said one person identified as Harishankar Kahar alias Hari Om who is alleged to be the kingpin of the bootlegging racket was arrested and booked under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act and the Prohibition Act.
The tragedy also had its echo in the state Assembly yesterday, where a determined Opposition pilloried the BJP government and shouted slogans amid uproarious scenes which saw 14 Congress MLAs being suspended for the day. Demands were also made for the resignation of Minister of State for Home Amit Shah.
The Opposition alleged that the tragedy after the victims consumed illicit liquor on Sunday night at a party exposed “free flow of liquor in a dry state.”
Angry protests were witnessed in the city and effigy of police was burnt in Odhav area following the incident.
Sale and consumption of alcohol is completely banned across Gujarat since the state’s inception in 1960.
–Agencies