Cuttack, Feb 8 (PTI) The toll in the hooch tragedy mounted to 29 today with the death of 24 more ailing persons in different hospitals in Odisha. While 28 people died at the SCB Medical College Hospital here, one succumbed at the Capital hospital in Bhubaneswar, official sources said. As many as 51 others are battling for survival in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Emergency Officer B N Moharana said. The victims consumed liquor from a joint in Mahidharpada area of Cuttack on Monday evening, the sources said. District collector Girish S N refused to term it a case of hooch tragedy saying the people died after consuming spurious medicines and not liquor and many cough syrup bottles were seized from the liquor joint. Dismissing collector's views Drug Controller A P Das said, "No human being will die if he or she drinks concentrated Sinaman Water-BP, which is sold under different brands." Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and a retired judge of the high court would conduct probe, Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said. The chief minister said those affected by the hooch disaster would be provided free treatment. So far eight persons have been arrested in this connection. (MORE)
