Bhadoi, Uttar Pradesh:
Eight persons died and 15 others, including eight women, were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor at different places in Bhadoi and Varanasi districts, official sources said here on Monday.
"While five persons died this morning after consuming spurious liquor in Chauri area of Bhadoi district, three more were killed at Shivdaspur village in Kapsethi area of Varansi district last night," they said.
The victims include two women, they said.
Bhadoi District Magistrate Surendra Singh said that 15 people, including eight women, were being treated at the district hospital.
Following the hooch tragedy, police carried out raids at Shivdaspur village in Kapsethi and arrested three persons manufacturing spurious liquor from methyl alcohol, sources said, adding pouches of country-made liquor were also recovered.
"DIG Varanasi Dhruvkant Thakur has suspended station officer Kapsethi on charges of laxity," they said, adding the liquor was supplied from Shivdaspur village in this area.
Five employees of the Excise department, including officers, were also suspended by the Commissioner on directives of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.
"Five departmental employees including two excise inspectors Sanjay Vidyarthi and Rajeshwar Maurya, who were prima facie found responsible for the incident, have been placed under suspension with immediate effect," Excise Commissioner Sudhir M Bobade said.
He said that a special team led by a joint excise commissioner along with additional excise commissioner has been asked to probe the incident.
Mayawati termed the incident as unfortunate has directed the officials to take stern action against those responsible for hooch tragedy.
The officials said that raids were being carried out to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing and supply of spurious liquor.