Probe begins into hooch tragedy

The magisterial inquiry into hooch tragedy in which five persons were killed has started.

Update: 2015-12-30 07:17 GMT
Family members of I. Venkat Rao, victim of Illicit liquor under treatment at corporate hospital, attend the magisterial inquiry at the sub-collector's office in Vijayawada on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)
VijayawadaThe magisterial inquiry into hooch tragedy in which five persons were killed has started here on Tuesday, with the inquiry officer Vijayawada sub-collector G. Srijana questioning families of the victims. Five persons were killed and 29 persons were hospitalised after consuming adulterated liquor from Swarna Restaurant and Bar at Krishnalanka in Vijayawada on December 7. 
 
Following this, the government ordered a magisterial inquiry apart from state police constituting a Special Investigation Team. Ms Srijana summoned family members of all the deceased and victims. Over 50 people turned up for the inquiry.
 
“On the first day we are concentrating on collecting required information from the family regarding the habits and daily routine of the victims. Later, officials of excise, GGH and other doctors who treated them would be inquired. Report would be submitted to the government as earlier as possible,” Ms Srijana said. 
She further said that, post-mortem report and doctors’ opinion were collected. “FSL and CFSL reports are yet to be received. Once all reports are acquired they will be correlated to find out the actual reason behind the deaths,”, she added.
 
Family of victim still suffers trauma in city:
 
The family of one of the hooch tragedy victims is still stuck in the agony and is finding no way to come out of the trauma even after more than 20 days of the incidents. 
I. Venkat Rao, 45, who consumed adulterated liquor at the Swarna Restaurant and Bar at Krishnalanka on December 7 morning started back home but collapsed on the way and never recovered. 
 
He is partly unconscious even today and is hardly responding to treatment. Due to the effect of the mysterious substance mixed in the liquor, a blood clot is developed in his brain and is on the verge of getting paralysed soon. He is also suffering sluggish eye sight. 
“Even now we got no help from the government. We shifted him from Andhra Hospitals to Liberty hospital in Autonagar. Doctors said that he is affected with 25 per cent paralysis. Rarely, he gets consciousness and behaves very oddly,” said his wife Vijaya Lakshmi and daughter Aparna. 
 
Aparna, who is studying intermediate first year, said that they are unable to run the family. “We are unable to get money for tablets asked by the hospital. We borrowed money from all sources and don’t have anything to eat. The government need to help us,” she said. 
Venkat Rao is one amo-ng two persons who are still suffering. Another victim Shankar, who does not have relatives, is in a private hospital. 
Mangamma, wife of deceased Narsa Gopi, said that she was not given any cheque expect Rs 5,000 on the day. 

 

 

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