Hooch toll touches 18

Kakinada, Feb 3: The death toll in the hooch tragedy at Rachapalem in Ambajipeta mandal and Palagummi of Gagulakurru Agraharam panchayat in Amalapuram mandalam in East Godavari district rose to 18 with one more death reported on Wednesday.According to sources, one person, who was undergoing treatment at Kakinada Hospital, died on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Satyanarayana of Bhandarulanka in Amalapuram district.

Nearly 180 people, who consumed liquor from Amalapuram, are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the district.People of Rachapalem and Palagummi villages took ill after consuming liquor at a belt shop in Gangalakurru Agraharam on Jan 24.The state government ordered a probe into the incident and suspended eight Excise officials in this connection.The Praja Rajyam Party has demanded a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the victims, who died after consuming liquor.