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Hooch tragedy: CPI(M) seeks Crime Branch probe

BHUBANESWAR: State unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday said probe into hooch tragedy in Khurda by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) was not enough and Crime Branch of State police should either join the probe or carry out investigation separately.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI (M) State Committee member Shivajee Patnaik alleged it was not a simple hooch tragedy case but influential political leaders and government officials were hand in glove in the trade of illicit liquor.

On May 4 and 5, at least five persons died, 55 persons had fallen ill and another five persons lost their eyesight partially after consuming adulterated alcohol.

A team of CPI(M) leaders comprising State committee member Mr. Patnaik and Puspa Das, district committee member Girish Moharana, Chinmayi Parida and Bidhu Moharan had visited Badapokharia of Khurda district where the incident had occurred.

“Deliberate attempts were being made to sidetrack the probe process. Many of those who were asked to record statements had in fact involvement in the liquor trade,” charged Mr. Patnaik

The team met family members of the victims and interacted with other villagers. Ms. Puspa Das said while it was a open secret that consumption of illicit liquor became fatal, victims’ families were persuaded to give a statement that diarrhea was the reason behind deaths.

“When we interacted with members of a women-led self-help group of the village, we came to know that there are many influential persons who are involved in the case. Even an anti-liquor movement launched by women a year ago was sabotaged by liquor mafia,” Ms. Das said.

Mr. Patnaik said Revenue Divisional Commissioner had no adequate tools or proper manpower at his dispensation to investigate the matter and get at the root of the problem.

But Crime Branch of State police had the experience as well as expertise in inquiring into these kinds of critical cases, he said demanding that the State government immediately hand over the matter to crime branch.

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