HYDERABAD: The overall death toll in the poisonous liquor consumption incident in Tandojam and Tando Allahyar on Tuesday and Wednesday rose to 14 when five patients died at the Liaquat University Hospital (LUH), city branch.

The five patients were brought to the LUH from Tando Allahyar, where three people, who had consumed the liquor, had died on Tuesday. Six such deaths were reported from Tando Jam also on Tuesday.

The patients who died at the LUH were identified as Shahnawaz Baloch, Nizam Baloch, More Talpur, Dello Bheel and Ram Kolhi and the three who died on Tuesday as Lakhiyo Kolhi, Premo Bheel and Jaimal Bheel.

Family members of several victims held a sit-in at Tando Adam Naka against sale of poisonous liquor on Wednesday. The protest caused disruption in the flow of vehicular traffic between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas for some time.

Sources said that five more persons who had allegedly consumed the liquor were receiving treatment at the LUH. They were identified as Misri, Krishan Bheel, Mano Kolhi, Yaqoob Baloch and Kalu Baloch.

Meanwhile, Tandojam SHO has been placed under suspension following the death of six liquor consumers within the limits of his police station.

A case under Section 3/4 Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd), 1979 was registered late on Wednesday evening on behalf of the state against two suspects, one of them nominated as Riaz, who has been arrested.

It was reported on Tuesday that six people died soon after consuming liquor from a vender, Jumman Solangi, in Tandojam.

The victims were identified as Irfan Khanzada, a resident of Karimabad Colony, Amir, a resident of CVDL Colony, Hamid Kaimkhani, a resident of Rasheed Colony, and Kewal and Kamal, residents of the Khisana Mori area of Muzaffarabad Colony.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad DIG Pir Mohammad Shah, who had earlier ordered an inquiry into the matter, has formed a committee headed by SSP Sajid Sadozai.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2022