Gujarat hooch tragedy exposes failure of police and government to nab liquor sellers

A brief report on the recent hooch tragedy in Gujarat prepared by the fact finding team of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (C), Ahmedabad:

***

A three member team of SUCI (C) visited the hooch tragedy affected villages of Dhandhuka and Barwala talukas on 27th July, 2022. The three members were Dr. Kanubhai Khadadiya, Jayesh Patel and Sachin Shah. The first shocking thing revealed to them was that not only Akru, Nabhoi, Chowkdi, Rojid, Chandarwa, Uchhadi, Mosadi and Aniyari, whose name surfaced in the news were affected but more than 20 other villages including Ranpari, Vaiya, Karada, Tagdi, Devagna, whose name has not surfaced are also badly affected by the tragedy. The liquor is sold in the surrounding 50 villages from the liquor shop situated between Chowkdi and Nabhoi of Barwala taluka. It clearly exposes the failure of Police and the government to nab the liquor seller. In spite of repeated representations by the Sarpanch of Rojid, no steps were taken. Presently many affected people have left the village out of the fear of Police. We could witness ambulances in almost all the surrounding villages which showed the intensity of the tragedy.
On visiting the family of a poor youth who died in this tragedy, we came to know that he consumed liquor on 24 July Sunday and got admitted in Botad hospital with complaint of blindness and died during the treatment. The girls of four to twelve years lost their father.
We noted firstly that the declaration of free medical treatment to the affected people is just in newspapers and known only in cities. The affected villages are not aware of this. Secondly we sadly noted that no one from government and administration have visited the affected families for consolation.
One more shocking thing revealed to us was that liquor sale became rampant in these villages after the introduction of Dholera SIR.
In these circumstances, we demand on behalf of the families of the affected people:
1. Stringent punishment to the officers responsible for this tragedy.
2. Appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased people and free treatment to the affected people.
3. Strict implementation of liquor prohibition policy.
4. Break the Nexus of Political leaders, police and bootleggers in the state.
5. Open De Addiction centers for the rehabilitation of the liquor addicted people.

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