NEW DELHI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and 25 others taken ill due to alleged consumption of spurious liquor in eastern Indian state of West Bengal, officials said Thursday.
The liquor was consumed by people in Rohtas district, about 116 km north of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
"The death toll in Nadia district due to alleged consumption of spurious liquor has risen to 12," local official Sumit Gupta told media. "The 25 others who were taken ill are undergoing treatment at the Shantipur State General hospital."
According to officials the victims consumed the hooch on Wednesday, following which five deaths were reported and 32 others taken ill.
Family members of the victims blamed spurious liquor for deaths of their kins. But the police are yet to confirm the cause of death.
"We are waiting for the postmortem report and only then cause of the deaths will be ascertained," a senior police official said.
Reports said the authorities have ordered a probe into the incident and suspended 11 officials for the alleged lapses.
The local government has announced a compensation of 2,865 U.S. dollars to each family that lost member in the tragedy.
In December 2011, hooch tragedy killed 172 people in South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal.
Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap locally made bootleg liquor.
