Gujarat : Two died, four critical in hooch tragedy 

Gandhinagar : Lihoda village in Gandhinagar’s Dehgam taluka in Gujarat woke up to a grim Monday morning as two villagers succumbed and four others battled for life after consuming spurious liquor during the Uttrayan festival. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the proliferation of illicit alcohol in rural areas.

The initial investigation suggests hooch consumption as the cause behind the tragedy. Two persons, Kalonji Jhala (42) and Vikram Pratapsinh Jhala (28), have tragically lost their lives, while four others – Rajusinh Jhala (40), Chehraji Jhala (70), Mangalsinh Jhala (42), and Vinod Thakore (43) – are in critical condition at a nearby hospital.

Gandhinagar Range Inspector General and District Superintendent of Police, Ravi Teja Vasamsetty rushed to Lihoda village alongside a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to investigate the matter further. Sources say the police are on high alert, anticipating more potential victims due to the consumption of the contaminated alcohol.

A year ago, two people died in the hooch tragedy in Botad district.

“Five ambulances have been placed on standby in the village, prepared to respond to any emergency,” the police spokesperson added. “We are also working to identify the source of this spurious liquor and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The deceased and critically ill individuals are believed to have consumed the illicit alcohol during celebrations surrounding Uttrayan, a popular festival in Gujarat known for kite-flying and feasts. However, their celebratory spirit turned into a nightmare due to the presence of harmful additives in the country liquor.

“These tragedies are a stark reminder of the dangers associated with consuming illicit alcohol,” said a health officer. “Often, these cheap brews are laced with toxic substances like methyl alcohol and mandrax, which can cause severe organ damage, seizures, and even death.”