MP hooch tragedy: Morena Collector, SP removed

Bhopal, Jan 13 The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has made its intent clear to act tough following the deaths of 16 persons in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district due to consumption of spurious liquor. During a meeting with officials, Chouhan ordered the removal of the Morena Collector and the district Superintendent of Police.

The Chief Minister had called the meeting on Wednesday and expressed his displeasure over the Morena incident. Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Finance Minister Jagdish Deora, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and Director General of Police Vivek Johri were also present in the meeting. The CM stressed on running a campaign against illegal liquor across the state.

Chouhan said the Collector and the SP would be held guilty in such incidents.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister had ordered a thorough probe into the incident following which the Morena station house officer and an excise official had been suspended.

The Gwalior-Chambal Police Commissioner had formed a team to probe the incident and assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty, Chouhan had said on Tuesday.

Sixteen persons have died so far due to the consumption of spurious liquor in two villages of Morena district while more than 10 people are in critical condition and undergoing treatment at Morena and Gwalior hospitals.

( With inputs from IANS )