Five adivasis die in Andhra Pradesh after consuming local, counterfeit toddy
India Today
Five adivasis died in Andhra’s East Godavari district after consuming counterfeit, locally-made toddy. Police have sent samples of the toddy for testing and an investigation has been launched.
Five adivasis died in Andhra Pradeh’s East Godavari district on Wednesday, February 2, after consuming spurious, local-made liquor. The tribals reportedly died after consuming ‘jeelugu kallu’ (toddy) in the Rajavommangi mandal of the district.
Police have collected samples of the spurious toddy and sent them for testing in labs. An investigation has also been launched.
The victims belonged to the Lothoddi village near Rajavommangi and were identified as Gangaraju, Lovraju, Sanyasayya, Sugrevu and Yesubabu.
All of them were shifted to the hospital in the area after they fell sick. While two of them died in the local hospital, the remaining three were immediately rushed to the Kakinada Government General hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, Chandrababu Naidu, expressed shock over the death of five tribals due to consumption of spurious liquor.
Naidu conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“It was unfortunate that the YSRCP government was not even responding to the toddy tragedy which claimed the lives of innocent Adivasis,” said Naidu.
