In yet another incident of liquor tragedy, many people said have died after consuming adulterated liquor in Vijayawada this morning. Though there is no official confirmation on the number of deaths taken place, media reports range from three to seven, at the time writing this report. About 20 laborers are said to have consumed the liquor purchased from Swarna Bar in Krishna Lanka near Vijayawada Monday morning. According a report three died in the morning while 17 had been admitted to the hospital. At least another seven were in a critical condition.

This is second such incident in Vijayawada in the past six months. On May 11, 2015, four persons died after consuming adulterated toddy in Mallikarjuna Peta of One Town area, Vijayawada. Today’s victims are all daily wage earners. They are reportedly consumed the liquor while on their way to the work place and purchasing killer booze from a bar which is located closer to the camp office of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. Official swung in action , within hours after breaking of news, and seized the bar and the affected people who fell scattered on the road to the hospital. The bar, according to sources, had been in the business of selling spurious liquor in the guise of licensed labels. Excise minister Kollu Ravindra made a statement that stringent action would be taken against those involved in the business of adulterated liquor and he ordered a probe into the incident.

Vijayawada, the second temporary capital of Andhra Pradesh, appears to have become capital of spurious culture much before Naidu made temporary capital. A week ago, official unearthed a massive factory manufacturing adulterated edible oils and released in to market with popular brands. The spurious edible oil factory had reportedly been set up spending crores.