Kendrapara: The Civil Society Forum on Human Rights (CSFHR) has sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the deaths of five persons in Bhadrak district.
On behalf of CSFHR, rights activist Akhand filed a petition before the NHRC citing negligence of state government officials in curbing the sale of spurious liquor.
The petitioner, Akhand, brought to the notice of the NHRC that at least five persons had died and 29 others had fallen ill April 29, 2019, after consuming spurious liquor in Bhadrak district.
These people had bought liquor with the money provided to them by political parties, ahead of the fourth phase of elections April 29. The people of Daulatapur village (near Peerhat) in Tihidi Police Station area of the district had bought the liquor from the local market for a post-election feast.
The villagers developed stomach ache and lost vision after consuming the liquor. They were immediately taken to Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital. The deceased are Sukanta Barik, Sadhucharan Nayak, Sarbeswar Das, and Ramchandra Padiari of Doulatapur and Nimaisahi.
While one person died on the spot, four others succumbed while undergoing treatment. Of the ill, three were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack after their condition deteriorated.
The people demanded immediate action against the culprits responsible for the tragedy. They also urged the district administration to curb the sale of spurious liquor in the area.
Akhand requested the NHRC to issue a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of Odisha and the Collector and SP of Bhadrak to submit action taken reports regarding the matter.
He said that stringent action should be taken against the liquor mafia, and that compensation should be paid to families of the victims as they had died due to the negligence of the state.