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Killer hooch toll goes up to 21

With the killer hooch claiming four more lives, the death toll in Bhubaneswar and Puri has gone up to 21.

Five persons are struggling for their lives at Bhubaneswar's Capital hospital.

Khurda district collector Madhusudan Padhi said that Sunakar Jena, who was selling the killer brew in pouches at Naharkanta and other areas near Bhubaneswar, has been arrested.

But the alleged kingpin of the hooch business -- Bulu alias Jayant Mohapatra -- has not yet been nabbed.

Bulu belongs to Balianta in Cuttack district.

Khurda Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Sarangi claimed that more than 30 persons have been arrested in connection with the hooch tragedy and 4000 bottles of liquor have been seized.

Ramachandra Patnaik, who was arrested for selling the killer brew in Puri, had been nabbed by the Excise Department two days before the tragedy. However, he was released on bail the next day.

Three more excise staff were suspended and an administrative inquiry by the revenue divisional commissioner has been ordered.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that collectors and superintendents of police would be held responsible for liquor deaths in their districts.

EARLIER REPORT
Spurious liquor claims 5 more: PTI

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