LUCKNOW: Twelve people have died from alcohol poisoning and a further two-dozen are seriously ill in hospital after drinking the liquor in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Monday.
The incident was reported in Kharta village, which is on the outskirts of the state capital, Lucknow.
“As of now 12 persons have died and around two-dozen are being treated in the trauma centre of King George’s Medical University,” Inspector General of Police A Satish Ganesh said.
Local media reported a much higher toll with around 100 ill from alcohol poisoning, many in a serious condition. The incidents of alcohol poisoning are not uncommon in India, particularly in rural towns and villages where small illegal set-ups produce cheap liquor without any quality control.
These informal breweries are frequently raided by police.
Published in Dawn January 13th , 2015
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