Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Feb 8 (IANS) At least 26 people died in Odisha after consuming spurious liquor laced with medicines, officials said Wednesday. A total of eight people have been arrested.

The victims from Cuttack and Khordha districts fell ill Tuesday after taking the drink that contained drugs used to treat cough and cold and to dress wounds.

Cuttack District Collector S.N. Girish told IANS that among the dead was Baidhar Bhoi, the brew seller. He was the first to die — Tuesday morning.

While 13 deaths were reported till Tuesday, the remaining died Wednesday.

The toll may increase further as many were in critical condition.

According to officials, people from several areas had gone to Tukuliapada village in Cuttack district, some 25 km from here, to buy the drink Monday night.

Police raided factories of two pharmaceutical companies in Bhubaneswar and sealed them for allegedly supplying the medicines to the kingpin.

Police said eight people have been arrested. They include three relatives of the kingpin and five of the pharmaceutical companies.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said a judicial commission led by a retired judge of the Odisha High Court will probe the deaths.

Excise Commissioner Sudarsana Nayak said the medicines used in the brew contained a high percentage of alcohol.

Activists of women organisations and members of opposition parties blocked roads and staged demonstrations in the affected areas to protest the deaths.