Ganjam Hooch Tragedy: 8 Arrested, Kingpin Arrested 5 Times in the Past

Bhubaneswar: Following the death of two persons after consuming spurious liquor in Chikiti block of Ganjam district, eight persons including a woman and illicit liquor manufacturer Surendra Mallick of Khemundi, have been arrested in connection with the liquor tragedy.

According to reports, Mallick was allegedly selling illicit liquor in Patrapur and Digapahandi areas of Ganjam district and some parts of Nayagarh district since the last four years. Although he was arrested five times in the past for involvement in illicit liquor manufacturing and trading, he always returned back to his illegal profession.

One of the arrested accused Baya Sahu was purchasing illicit liquor from Mallick and was selling it in Moundpur village. It is suspected that the country liquor sold by Sahu was possibly laced with spurious substances.

The Odisha government has suspended Berhampur Excise Inspector Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and SI Prasanna Kumar Dhali.

Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan ordered for immediate suspension of the two and transfer of Berhampur Excise Superintendent Pradeep Panigrahi.

More than 17 persons from Moundpur, Jenapur and Karabalua villages of Chikiti block were hospitalized after drinking illicit country liquor from a local unlicensed shop on Monday evening.