Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (SP)

Chitradurga, Oct 21: Three persons including two brothers turned victims of illicit liquor within a matter of three days in the district. Two brothers are among them. The tragedy came to light after another person died for similar reason on Friday October 20. The incident has proved that bootleggers continue to be active in the state.

Parashuramappa (55), his brother, Venkatappa (60), and Chati Thimmappa (65), all from Kallihatti village near Manangi within Siddapur gram panchayat limits in the taluk were the ones who lost their lives for the lure of illicit liquor.

Parashuramappa died on Monday after consuming hooch. His brother, Venkatappa, and another villager, Chati Thimmappa, died on Friday for the same reason. The death of another villager from this village on October 10 is also being attributed to consumption of illegally brewed liquor.

The families of the deceased as well as villagers, who have been frustrated over the increased devastation let loose by bootleggers, carried the body of Venkatappa and placed it in front he of excise department office here. They demanded for reining in of local manufacture and sale of liquor.

The villagers alleged that their repeated requests to excise and police officials to stop sale of indigenously made liquor has fallen on deaf ears and there has been no action from them. They said that out of about 500 families living in Kallihatti, sale of hooch is going on unbridled in about 50 to 60 shops and houses.

A complaint was registered in the rural police station here about manufacture and sale of liquor illegally. Many complaints made earlier to the departments concerned, and protest held against the inaction of the district administration have not evoked any positive responses so far.