Three more fall prey to toxic liquor

KARACHI: The toll of victims reached 14 after three more people died after consuming poisonous liquor in Chanesar Goth near Kala Pul on Wednesday, Geo News reported Thursday.

According to police, six friends had died in the same area after consuming illicit liquor on Tuesday while more than a dozen fell unconscious who were treated in different hospitals.

Those who died include Saeed, Abdul Qadir, Babu, Mohammad Mansha, Mohammad Zubair, Shan, Mohammad Shafiq, Shahrukh, Saman Masih, Umair, Mohammad Aslam, Babu Khairi, Razzak Lasi and Aslam Siddiqui.

The victims were the residents of Liaqat Ashraf Colony and Hindupara area of Mehmoodabad.

Relatives of the victims were forbidden to give statements to the media.

After the incident, Sindh Home Minister Mazoor Wasan ordered the police to present report within 24 hours.

The newspaper story adds:
The police high-ups had suspended the station house officer (SHO) for his failure to stop illegal sale and consumption of wine. The number of such deaths has risen to 14 in just three days, stirring protests in the area where protesters urged steps to stop illegal sale of toxic liquor.

After the news of their death spread, people of Chanesar Goth took to the streets and demanded the arrest of the people involved in the business of fatal liquor. The protesters blocked the main road for several hours.

Later in the night, the Tipu Sultan police and personnel of the Sindh Rangers raided an illlegal liquor factory and arrested Muhammad Gul, Shahzad and Irshad. However, the owners of the factory — Irfan and Badshah — managed to flee.

They also seized four cans of illicit liquor, one thousand bottles and punch machines from the factory. On Tuesday, at least seven people died while one lost his eyesight after consuming poisonous liquor in Chanesar Goth.

The tragedy has raised questions over the role of the police in checking widespread bootlegging and illegal consumption of liquor right under their nose. In a similar incident in 2007, 18 people had died in different parts of the city after consuming poisonous liquor.