17 die after drinking tainted liquor in south India

Jan 1, 2012, 12:14 GMT

New Delhi - At least 17 people have died after drinking contaminated moonshine in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, media reported Sunday.

The deaths were reported to have occurred in the eastern Krishna and central Nalgonda districts, starting late Saturday, the IANS news agency reported.

Sixteen died in the Krishna district and eight more were being treated at a hospital, the report said.

The victims, belonging to three villages, had complained of giddiness after consuming the alcohol, doctors said.

Another death was reported from the Nalgonda district.

Relatives of the victims staged protests in the Krishna district on Sunday, demanding action against those involved in the manufacture and distribution of toxic liquor.

The illegal liquor business thrives in India because it is much cheaper than commercially produced alcohol. But it often contains adulterations such as methyl alcohol, which can cause blindness and death.

Last month, more than 170 people died after drinking illicit alcohol in the eastern state of West Bengal.

A total of 1,202 people died of consuming dodgy alcohol in the country in 2010, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.