Illicit liquor kills 16 in Ahmedabad

At least 16 people died(9 deaths confirm in V.S. Hospital, 4 at Shardaben Hospital and 3 in L.G. Hospital) and about 15 more have been hospitalized(4 in L.G. Hospital, 1 in Shardaben, 1 in Civil and 9 in V.S. Hospital) after drinking illegally-brewed liquor in Ahmedabad’s Majur Gam area. Soon after they consumed liquor, all of them started vomiting and passed out one after another.

Angry people of the area choked the roads near Geeta Mandir and pelted stones over police vehicles. Stone pelting was so heavy that police had to lobbed teargas shells to disburse the crowds.

People blamed corruption and police department’s nexus with bootleggers for this ugly incident. Police assured people of taking all necessary steps against those who made and sold the liquor.

Opposition leader Shaktisinh Gohil rushed to the families of victims.

In the afternoon, Gujarat Congress President Siddharth Patel raised this issue in assembly, and sought Home Minister’s statement. The Minister of state for Home, Amit Shah said he would make a statement on Wednesday. The opposition members protested Shah’s announcement as they wanted a statement today itself.