NHRC issues notice to UP government over hooch tragedy
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over reported deaths of 150 people in the last 15 years due to consumption of "spurious liquor" in Pusaina village of Mainpuri district. In Pusaina village, "out of 300 families, 150 have widows" whose husbands died after consuming spurious liquor in the last 15 years, claimed a media report.
'150 families have widows whose husbands died after consuming spurious-liquor'
The commission, in a statement, said it has taken suo motu cognizance of a media-report which claimed that in Pusaina village, "out of 300 families, 150 have widows in the age of 25-65, whose husbands died after consuming spurious liquor in the last 15 years."
NHRC demanded detailed report from chief secretary in four weeks
The NHRC has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, indicate "failure" on part of the concerned authorities in taking lawful action against culprits, forcing the distraught families to lead miserable lives violating their rights to life, liberty, and dignity. The commission has issued the notice to the chief secretary, seeking a detailed report in four weeks.
Report should have status of schemes provided to families: NHRC
"The report should be comprehensive, covering the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state agencies along with status of benefits of the social welfare schemes provided to the aggrieved families," said NHRC. The illegal business of hooch has been thriving in the area for years together as mentioned in the news report, it said, adding no action has been taken.
Recently, 100 died after consuming hooch in UP and Uttarakhand
Recently, around 100 people died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Saharanpur and Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh and Haridwar, Uttarakhand. According to media reports, the hooch was suspected to have been made in villages near the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border, the commission said.
Deadly urea, battery fluid in alcohol lead to death: NHRC
"According to the media report, carried today, in Pusaina village there are families, which have lost more than one male member," the statement said. "The noxious alcoholic concoction, that sometimes comes mixed with deadly urea, battery fluid, and chemicals, for an instant and extra high, is the main cause of deaths in such a large number," it further said.
60-70 liters of liquor consumed by villagers per day: NHRC
"Reportedly, according to local residents, of these, 600-700 liters is manufactured in Pusaina village alone, right under the nose of police and the excise department," said NHRC. "It is mentioned in the news report that usually 60-80 liters of liquor is consumed by the villagers per day and the remaining is supplied to the nearby villages and adjoining districts," it added.
Liquor in Pusaina contains urea mixed in jaggery and yeast
The liquor made in Pusaina is reportedly very popular due to a mixing of urea in jaggery and yeast, to 'guarantee' a strong kick, the rights panel said, quoting the report. "The village Pradhan has also stated that the hooch business in the village has now declined in comparison with the past, but it still continues," the statement said.
Tried to stop illegal trade, was threatened by mafia: Pradhan
Pradhan has mentioned that he tried to stop the illegal trade in the village after many deaths occurred but he was threatened by the mafia, said the statement. "Not only this, even children aged 10 years, are involved in the illegal hooch trade, with the passage of time, they also become the consumers of the spurious liquor," it said, quoting the report.
Police seized property worth Rs. 11 crore from liquor mafia
As mentioned in the report, the superintendent of police of Mainpuri has stated that police have been making sincere efforts to destroy the illegal business in the district and have seized property worth Rs. 11 crore from some of the kingpins of the liquor mafia, the rights body said. It further said that the police parties are also conducting raids to destroy the network.
