Dhenkanal: Even as rise in alcohol addiction in rural areas of the State has sparked serious concern, the Odisha government today dismissed the alleged hooch tragedy which reportedly claimed over two lives recently in Dhenkanal district.

Slamming the spread of fake information on social media and terming them as baseless, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the news that many people died due to toxic liquor consumption in Rasol area of Dhenkanal district was completely untrue. "Misleading information is reaching people and for this, both social media and journalists are equally responsible. Thankfully, the media distanced itself from the news after learning that the deaths were not alcohol-related. The deceased were patients suffering from kidney ailment," he clarified.

He further stated that four days back, a review meeting of district excise superintendents was conducted where the officials were given complete autonomy to deal with liquor theft and illicit trade of counterfeit alcohol. They were directed to exercise all their powers and take action in the strictest way possible in  these matters.

On Saturday, two persons died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Rasol. The deceased were identified as Manmatha Samal and Prafula Samal of Bampha village. Aged between 45 and 55, the duo had reportedly complained of difficulty in breathing and chest pain shortly after consuming country-made liquor the previous day.

They were immediately admitted to Hindol hospital but succumbed during treatment. Following their deaths, speculations were rife that toxic liquor consumption led to their demise as locals claimed that many people in the region died due to alcohol poisoning in the past few days. According to villagers and local media reports, atleast seven people have died in last 10 days due to consumption of toxic liquor while individuals are critical.

Meanwhile, locals alleged that no action was being taken by either the administration or the police despite their complaints of a thriving illicit liquor business in their area. Addressing mediapersons, social activist Bibhu Rath said the officials are aware of the cheap alcohol trade in villages and inspite of over 5-6 deaths in last one week, no action has been initiated from their end.

Corroborating his claim, another villager said women in Bampha village have been complaining about this issue for long but it has fallen on deaf ears.

Members of the opposition and a fact-finding team later visited the affected area. Former BJD MP Mahesh Sahu said illegal alcohol business has been thriving only because authorities in charge are lax. "If the Excise department does not wake up to this scourge and crackdown on black marketing of spurious alcohol, many more deaths will follow and we will have bigger tragedies," he added.

On the other hand, excise inspector Kulamani Maharana refuted the claims and said the department has been vigilant and three teams have arrested over five people in connection with fake liquor trade.