Hooch toll rises to four in Rayagada

RAYAGADA: With three more deaths, the toll in the Sunday night’s hooch tragedy mounted to four. Ten persons had reportedly taken ill after consuming a local brew at Badakhilapadar panchayat under Chandli police limits. While two of the seriously ill died on way to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur late on Sunday night, another succumbed at the district headquarters hospital here, on Monday morning. They have been identified as Purna Chandra Kondagiri of Kodangi village, Rama Chandra Acharya of Gundipara village and Lachha Perubakar of Kumbheiguda village. Lanka Patanna of Gudupai village had earlier died at the hospital here. A team of doctors are attending to the patients. Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawale visited the villages on Monday to ascertain the cause of deaths. He has sanctioned Rs 10,000  each to the bereaved families.