Liquor toll rises to 17, 19 critical

VIJAYAWADA: Death toll in the illicit liquor tragedy in Mylavaram and Reddigudem mandals in Krishna district rose to 17, and the condition of 19 others is said to be critical. Fifteen of the 17 deceased have been identified as Bukya Somli (40), Lavuri Soni (65), Azmeera Chinnamma (50), Donadri Pandu (50), Baswani Rajramesh (35), Azmeera Venkateshwar Rao (30), Kagga Edukondalu (40), Banothu Kalesh (40), Moddu Gopi (45), Banothu Balu (42), Lavuri Chittamma (55), Azmeera Chinna (35), Azmeera Nageshwara Rao (40), Bukya Thavadiya (30) and Bukya Badriya (60).Eight of them hailed from Poratanagar, six from Kanimerla thanda in Mylavaram mandal and three from Naguluri thanda in Reddypet mandal.According to Vijayawada subcollector S Venkata Rao, 19 others are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Mylavaram and Vijayawada. Doctors at the Vijayawada hospital said that the liquor had methyl alcohol content.Meanwhile, the Mylavaram and Reddypet police have quizzed several people of Poratanagar, Kanimerla and Naguluri thandas. Circle inspectors D Shravan Kumar and AP Raju have visited the houses of all the deceased and collected information. It is alleged that Azmeera Jamulaih of Kanimerla thanda was involved in illicit liquor distillation. He is absconding. Another accused, Azmeera Lakshmaih, is undergoing treatment as he too consumed the liquor.