Death toll reaches 35 in Pak liquor tragedy

With the death of 11 more persons today, the death toll from the spurious liquor tragedy in Pakistan's southern Sindh province during Holi celebrations has reached 35 including 33 Hindus.
Police said that 11 more deaths reported from the Tando Mohammad Khan and Mirpurkhas districts of the province.
Though there are reports that 35 people have died so far, the death toll could be higher as there could be victims who died at home and were not brought to the hospitals because of fear of police action and arrests.
The first cases of toxic liquor poisoning were reported from Tando Muhammad Khan near Hyderabad city on Monday when around 35 members of the Hindu community including six women were admitted to separate hospitals. They had consumed the liquor to celebrate the festival of Holi.

Around 20 deaths were reported from the Liaquat University hospital and another 11 from district government hospital in Tando Muhammad Khan area, Deputy Inspector General Hyderabad Khadim Rind said.
In a separate incident, two Muslim villagers died in Mirpurkhas area of the province last night after consuming spurious liquor at a wedding.

Meanwhile, residents staged a protest against the police for failing to stop the illegal sale of hooch in their neighbourhood.
Authorities have suspended the area Station House Officer and two persons have been arrested for brewing the illegal alcoholic drink.
The latest incident is a reminder of a similar tragedy in Hyderabad and Karachi in 2014 during Eid-ul Azha celebrations when 29 people had died after consuming hooch.

Alcohol consumption is banned in Pakistan for Muslims but non-Muslims are allowed to ration alcohol from special liquor shops run by provincial excise departments.