Hooch tragedy: Hunt on to nab kingpin Khora Badshah; death toll rises to 167

Kolkata: Police in West Bengal are on the hunt for Khora Badshah, alias Noor Islam Fakir. He, along with another person called Salim, is reportedly the man behind the manufacture and distribution of illicit liquor  that has now claimed the lives of over 170 people in the state's South 24 Parganas district. Over 100 people are still battling for their lives in different hospitals of Kolkata and 24-Parganas.

The duo has been operating in the region for long and has an extensive network through the Railways and bus routes that cut across the district. Both men apparently have very high political connections. Badshah for one, according to locals, earlier used to be closely associated with the CPI(M) as was Salim, but both seem to have shifted their loyalties after a change in regime. Even as a probe has been ordered by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to be carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the state, there are apprehensions that both the accused enjoy political patronage which might hamper the probe.

The state government suspended the Excise officer-in-charge of Diamond Harbour range, Rajeshwar Pandey, for allegedly "not conducting raids properly" against illegal liquor dens, said South 24 Parganas district magistrate N.S. Nigam.  Police have been conducting joint raids with Criminal Investigation Department  (CID) officers and excise officials, nabbed two more people today. In all 12 people have been arrested, but the prime accused  are still missing.

As West Bengal grapples with the hooch tragedy, the second major incident in less than a week after a major fire killed 91 in Kolkata, explosive accusations have started flying around.

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Ms Banerjee had, in an interview to a Bengali news channel, indirectly blamed the previous Left Front government in the state and said, "Illegal liquor business has been taking place for long in the state. When we try take action to stop this business, resistance comes from different quarters."  in the affected district. She today asked CPI-M leader Abdur Rezzak Mollah to find out through his party network who the den owner Badshah Khokan was and what has been his political affiliation.

Her key aide, and the state industry minister, Partha Chatterjee went a step further - directly accusing the CPM for the hooch tragedy. "This is a pre-planned issue by them to divert attention from AMRI and to save the accused in AMRI. State Government will see that no one gets away, even if it is the CPI-M people. We will go to any lengths. CPI-M is trying to protect many."

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His statement led to a furore in the state Assembly today with the Left demanding an explanation from the minister. The leader of the opposition, Surjo Kanto Mishra, raised the issue as soon as the Assembly convened and demanded that Mr Chatterjee prove his statement or retract it.  The Left has threatened to take the matter to the Governor.

The West Bengal government has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the families of those who died. And Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a CID investigation into the incident.

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As the toll mounts, the anger amongst people is palpable. Villagers, joined police raiding parties, in destroying hooch dens in several parts of the state. Thousands of litres of illicit hooch has been seized, some dens even set on fire by irate villagers.

Ironically, hooch continues to sell in large volumes in Sangrampur and neighbouring areas.