Closure of liquor shops during lockdown has resulted in the death of eight alcoholics, after they consumed a spurious cocktail of country made mahua liquor with cough syrup in village Dhiripara located on the outskirts of city. Five more from the village are currently admitted in the hospital, battling for their lives. The police came to know about the incident late at night. Sirgitti Police, under whose jurisdiction the area comes, have taken possession of the bodies and sent them for autopsy. They have registered a case and started investigations. According to the information received from Sirgitti Police, youths Kamlesh Dhuri (32), Akshaya Dhuri (21), Rajesh Dhuri (21), Samaru Dhuri (25), Khemchand Dhruv (40) and Kailash Dhuri (50) of village Dhiripara and few others of village Kormi procured country made mahua liquor from a local handler last evening and mixed it with homeopathy cough syrup to increase intoxication-level. After enjoying the party together they all returned home. But gradually their health started deteriorating and they started vomiting. By late night, five of them died in their home, while others were admitted to Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and Apollo Hospitals.

 

Another two youths died at CIMS late night and one succumbed in Apollo Hospitals. Five others admitted in CIMS are in critical condition. Police sources said that initially when they started vomiting the family members did not paid any attention as they were alcoholics and often came home late in an inebriated condition. Mostly when they were heavily drunk, they vomited in the house which was common thing for the families. After hearing about the death of Kamlesh and Rajesh and later about Akshay and Samaru the family members were shocked and admitted the other youths to the hospital. The death of youths in the village was reported by the villagers to Sirgitti Police after which the sleuths rushed to the village.

 

During interrogation, Police came to know about how the youths mixed country made mahua with the cough syrup. The villagers also informed Police about the deteriorating health condition of others. Police immediately admitted all the remaining youths in CIMS and Apollo Hospitals where four died while the condition of others is reported to be critical. Police said that according to primary investigation the youth purchased the cough syrup from a shop at village Dhuma after procuring the country made mahua liquor from an alocal handler. Police have confirmed the death of eight youths. Besides Police, the Health Department has also started examining the people of Dhiripara by setting up camp in the village. There are also other youths who consumed the same cough syrup for intoxication, but were safe. Police and Health Department team reached the village and during interrogation also got information that youths were drinking the homeopathic syrup as corona drug for the last few days.

 

There was a rumor among villagers that corona is cured with alcohol and cough syrup. Homeopathy doctor Dr Nishant Shukla said that what the youths drank was not in syrup form but few other doses of homeopathy medicines must have been used. He said that the cough syrup does not contain enough alcohol to kill anyone. This is possible only when the dilated form of Drosera is found in them. It contains more than 90% alcohol. Drinking such a liquid can have a very effect on the liver, heart and could cause death, he informed.