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Journalism of Courage
The death toll from the illicit liquor tragedy that struck parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu rose to 156 on Wednesday even as fresh cases were reported at Malur in Kolar district of Karnataka.
As authorities continued with their crackdown on bootlegging, two persons, who consumed the hooch in Malur on Tuesday evening, died in the early hours on Wednesday, police said.
In Bangalore city, six more persons, admitted in hospital, died.
The illicit brew has claimed 115 lives in Karnataka –56 in Bangalore city, 32 in Kolar and 27 in Bangalore rural.
Eight police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, have been placed under suspension in the wake of the fresh incident at Malur, Kolar Superintendent of Police Seemanth Kumar said.
Police in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district bordering Karnataka, said the toll there mounted to 41 on Wednesday.
Four police officials have been placed under suspension there, they said.
Karnataka Excise personnel who continued their search for illicit liquor found a number of sachets dumped in a well in Cox town area in Bangalore.
“Twenty sachets have been taken out. Efforts are on to remove the other sachets,” Excise Commissioner Chikkamath said.
Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur visited the city hospitals where patients are being treated and enquired about their well-being. He was accompanied by Excise officials and Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) B K Singh.
