Cause of death of seven victims in Sagar liquor incident remains inconclusive: NHRC member Kanoongo

Sagar, Sep 15 (IANS) The cause of death of seven people in the Sagar spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh remains inconclusive, National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanoongo said on Tuesday, calling for clarity over the casualties in the incident.

Kanoongo visited Sagar district and met the families of the victims.

He later also held a meeting with the district administration and police to gather details about the incident, the investigation and relief measures.

Kanoongo described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and said the investigation should follow due legal process.

He also appealed to the people not to politicise the tragedy so that the affected families could receive assistance and those responsible could be punished.

“Sagar district administration informed that doctors have not yet conclusively confirmed whether the deaths of these seven individuals were caused by alcohol consumption,” Kanoongo said.

He noted that families of the seven deceased people would receive Rs 2 lakh each as government assistance.

Families of those whose deaths have been conclusively linked to spurious liquor consumption are being given Rs 4 lakh, the NHRC member Kanoongo said, while talking to news reporters in Sagar.

He said the NHRC would urge the administration to ensure that the sanctioned compensation reaches the affected families within the next two days.

He shared that during his interaction with the aggrieved families, he was told that people are not fully satisfied with the ongoing investigation.

“The families have complained that the names of suppliers linked to the larger liquor mafia have not been included in their statements, and no action has been taken. We have also urged the police to identify and take action against such persons,” Kanoongo said.

The NHRC member said some families had also alleged that several agents involved in selling liquor in different villages were still absconding, despite arrests in the case.

The incident came to light earlier this month after several people fell ill following suspected consumption of spurious liquor in villages in the Banda-Shahgarh area of Sagar district.

Several people were hospitalised and deaths were subsequently reported.

The number of casualties has remained disputed, with different figures emerging during the investigation.

Police have so far identified 33 accused in connection with the case and arrested 18 of them.

The probe is focused on the suspected network involved in supplying and distributing illicit liquor.

–IANS

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