Following the devastating hooch tragedy in Botad district, the state government has suspended 8 police officers, including 2 Deputy Superintendent of Police. With this move, the government is trying to pacify the agitated people of the state, instead of identifying and taking strict action against those who are truly responsible for this situation.
Among those suspended are:
- Botad DySP S. K. Trivedi
- Dholka DySP N.V. Patel
- Barwala PSI B. G. Vala
- Ranpur PSI Shailendra Singh Dilubha Rana
- Dhandhuka PI K.P. Jadeja
- Dhandhuka CPI Suresh B.Chaudhary
The government has also tried to settle the matter by transferring the Superintendent of Police of Ahmedabad and Botad. Ahmedabad District SP Virendra Yadav and Botad SP Karanraj Vaghela didn’t seem to have taken any action against the consumption of country-made liquor in the district. However, instead of taking strict action against the officers, they are more likely to be transferred to lower postings.
The hooch tragedy in Barwala Taluka, Botad district, has killed 57 people so far, most likely more. However, the official death toll figure from the government is just 45. Many people are still battling for their lives in hospitals. Several people are in critical condition, so there is a strong possibility that the death toll will rise.
These people fell ill after consuming spurious liquor on Sunday night. The country-made alcohol was heavily laced with chemicals. Considering that many more people consumed the concoction that night, the police have arranged ambulances in every village in the Botad district.
