Death toll in Handia hooch tragedy reaches 13

PRAYAGRAJ, March 18 (HS): With two more deaths on Thursday, the death toll in Handia hooch tragedy reached 13. The victims have been identified as Nirmala Devi (58) wife of Harishchandra and Kallu Bhartiya (55) son of Devnarayan, both residents of Hakimpati village under Handia police station. Bodies have been sent for post mortem. Nearly 13 people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. SSP Sarvshreshtha Tripathi has suspended a sub inspector and four constables for negligence. Police have arrested nine people including the kingpin Vinod Bhartiya.

The Handia hooch tragedy comes close on the heels of similar contingency in Fatehpur and Pratapgarh last week. These districts fall under Prayagraj division. Victims of hooch tragedy have been identified as Ajay Gupta and Chote Lal Kanojia resident of Bind village, Sushila Devi of Saray Mansoor village, Buddhi Ram Bhartiya, Shobhnath, Kabir alias Ramji of Sangrampatti village, Vimal Kumar, Khaderu Lal Kanojia, Lavkush Nishad, Sona Devi, Subedar Kallu Kanojia, Nirmala Devi and Kallu Bhartiya. Four people are still undergoing treatment in hospital, namely, Bablu Gupta, Bille Kanojia, Vijay Bhual and Sultan.